The National Survey on the Informal Sector (undeclared non-agricultural production units) covered a sample of 10,085 production units between, 2013 and 2014, throughout the national territory over a period of 12 months to take into account the seasonality of their activities. In 2013, informal production units (IPU) numbered 1.68 million, an average annual increase of 19,000 units or 1.2%, compared to 2007 when the number was 1.55 million.
The national survey helped to draw up the profile of the IPU: 51.4% – the vast majority of which is in the sectors of construction, services and trade – do not have fixed premises. Those residing in professional premises or working from home are more present in the industrial sector. More than 80% of all the IPUs and less than 40% of those which have premises declare that they do not pay business tax. Although the educational level of informal entrepreneurs has improved significantly since 2007, it remains notoriously low. More than two thirds attended pre-school or primary education, 28.4% secondary education and 3.3% higher or tertiary education.
In the creation of the IPU, the initiative is 83% individual, 10.6% collaborative and nearly 5% is the result of family competition. Before implementing their projects, 75% of UPI creators were employed, 12% students, 8.3% unemployed and 3% were housewives. Among those who had previously exercised an activity, 70% were salaried employees and 20% were self-employed, nearly 90% of whom were in the informal sector.
