Jobs

World Development Report 2013

World Bank, 2012

15 min read

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The World Bank delivers a state-of-the-world report on jobs and employment.

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This in-depth research from the World Bank covers the latest on developing world employment: the economic, political and social aspects of what constitutes work in many emerging nations. The text precisely defines a concept – a job – that is difficult to pin down, given the myriad ways people labor and the complex significance that work has for human beings. The team of World Bank analysts who compiled this study uses its wide-ranging data to press the case for better developmental policies that will facilitate job growth and enhance the jobs that millions already perform worldwide. getAbstract recommends this far-reaching report to economists, policy makers and executives who want to understand how to address one of the 21st century’s biggest economic and social challenges: jobs.

Summary

It’s Not Just a Job

Individuals value their jobs for what they bring: certainly money, often benefits, sometimes prestige and usually satisfaction. As you progress in your work, it can change who you are, how you perceive the world and how the world sees you. But work carries a greater collective importance for society; jobs have the ability to move a community forward, to increase social interactions, and to keep peace and harmony within groups. From a public policy perspective, “some jobs have a broader impact on society” than others. While the vast majority of jobs arise from the private sector, government plays a critical role in facilitating the creation of those jobs; it must avoid enacting policies that could hamper job growth.

What Is a Job?

More than three billion people on the planet work, but only about half – 1.6 billion – collect a regular salary; the rest are self-employed or work in farming or in “casual or seasonal day labor.” About two billion people – mostly women – don’t work, and 200 million – largely young people – are looking for work. Globally, fewer than 50% of women are employed, while 80% of men have jobs. Men earn more than women, ...

About the Author

The World Bank, operating as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, works with member nations to fight global poverty.

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R. V. 1 decade ago

Is this a summary of a book or a 2 para essay?
- 1 decade ago
  
  Many thanks for your comment. This is a summary of a 400-page World Bank report. You can access the full report (free of charge) at this link: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/11843.
  
  Kind regards,
  Deirdre Cody (editor at getAbstract)

The World Bank