This raises the issue of the measurement of the informal sector, which is known to be substantial in transition and developing countries. In the former Soviet Union countries it is estimated to contribute between 20 and 40 per cent of GDP. Even in the European Union (EU) there is considerable informal activity: in Italy, for example, it has been estimated to contribute between 10 and 20 per cent of GDP. It has been estimated that the informal sector contributes some nine trillion ‘undetected’ dollars to global GDP. To measure the informal sector and its contribution, surveys can be used along with qualitative data and interviews. There.
