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Abstract

Using nationally representative, multi-year survey data for nine African countries, this study documents trends in the sectoral composition of Africa’s work force. The study highlights differences in sectoral employment trends by age category, gender, and rural vs. urban areas. By analyzing sectoral employment shifts over the past decade, we can gain insights about the strength and robustness of economic transformation processes in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. While substantial differences across countries warrant caution against overgeneralization, the last decade has witnessed a sharp increase in the rate at which Africans are exiting farming in favor of off-farm activities. Today, farming accounts for 50 to 70% of the total number of jobs recorded among Africa’s working-age population, down from 70 to 80% just 10 years ago. These employment shifts signify that economic transformation is clearly underway in much of the region. In some countries, however, the labor force is moving out of farming very slowly. Countries experiencing the most rapid labor force exit out of farming over the past decade tend to have achieved relatively strong agricultural productivity growth since 2000.

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