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Accessible policy-relevant research. Accessible policy-relevant research and expert commentaries on unemployment, income distribution and inclusive growth in South Africa.

George Ellis

Position: Emeritus professor

Institution: UCT

Expertise: Applied Mathematics

A forum for critical debate...

. . . on unemployment and employment, income distribution and inclusive growth in South Africa. It publishes accessible research- and expertise-based contributions. The forum encourages debate on an integrated and consistent policy response to unemployment, inequality and poverty and a strong engagement between research and policy making. We invite contributions from economists and other social science researchers, policymakers and relevant experts.

Managing Editor
Pippa Green

Founding Editor
Frederick Fourie (November 2012 – February 2021)

All-time Highest Reads

Creating jobs, reducing poverty I: Why the informal sector should be taken seriously and enabled properly

Frederick CvN Fourie, 23 July 2018

What is the role of manufacturing in boosting economic growth and employment in South Africa?

Nimrod Zalk, 11 February 2014

Who are the middle class in South Africa? Does it matter for policy?

Justin Visagie, 29 April 2013

Why are foreign-run spaza shops more successful? The rapidly changing spaza sector in South Africa

Rory Liedeman, Andrew Charman, Laurence Piper, Leif Petersen, 13 November 2013

Informal settlements: poverty traps or ladders to work?

Ivan Turok, 12 August 2015

Adcorp’s employment and unemployment figures are not taken seriously by researchers – yet they can do much harm

Servaas van der Berg, 12 February 2013

How much is inequality reduced by progressive taxation and government spending?

Ingrid Woolard, Rebecca Metz, Gabriela Inchauste, Nora Lustig, Mashekwa Maboshe, Catriona Purfield, 28 October 2015

How high is graduate unemployment in South Africa? A much-needed update

Hendrik van Broekhuizen, Servaas van der Berg, 12 May 2013

A job in the informal sector reduces poverty about as much as a job in the formal sector

Paul Cichello, Michael Rogan, 30 May 2017

Who creates jobs, who destroys jobs? Small firms, large firms and labour market rigidity

Andrew Kerr, Martin Wittenberg, Jairo Arrow, 15 January 2013