Labour supply and the lack of productive employment

The labour force is an important productive resource of the LDCs, and a key challenge which they face in developing their productive capacities is to ensure that it is more fully and productively employed. In almost all the LDCs there is an imbalance between the rate of growth of the labour force, which is very rapid owing to population growth, and the rate of capital accumulation and technological progress, which as shown in the previous two chapters, is generally slow. As a result, most workers have to earn their living using their raw labour, with rudimentary tools and equipment, little education and training, and poor infrastructure. Labour productivity is low and there is widespread underemployment.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Affordable and Clean Energy

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions