The shadow economy: An international survey

Abstract

Illicit work, social security fraud, illegal employment, economic crime and other examples of shadow economy activities are becoming an ever increasing problem in countries around the world. Most governments try to reduce the shadow economy through punitive measures or through education, rather than through reforms of the tax and social security systems. Friedrich Schneider and Dominik H. Enste suggest a reform of state (public) institutions, which could improve the dynamics of the official economy.