Who Is Employed? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa on Redefining Employment

Abstract The 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (in 2013) redefined thelabour statistics standards, and most National Statistical Offices are currently transitioning to the revised standards. A major change, which few academics seem be aware, is that concept employment has been narrowed work for pay or profit. By farming, mainly intended own use, no longer considered employment, such a farmer employed in labour force. Instead, their captured under new indicator own-use production work. This paper analyses implications standards on measures Sub-Saharan Africa drawing specialised agricultural surveys from Ghana Malawi nationally representative multi-topic household two early adapters, Nigeria. In some contexts, 70% 80% farmers produce family consumption therefore, based this activity, not by standards; however, there wide geographic variation. Moreover, more likely sale at end growing season main local crop than earlier season. Men women sale. Official statistics, show significantly lower employment-to-population ratios rural give impression populations much less reliant agriculture further along process structural change what was indicated previous