Despite a global decrease in informal economic activity, shadow economies still make up a significant portion of GDP in parts of Africa and South Asia. A new data from the Ernst & Young Global Shadow Economy Report 2025 reveals that Sierra Leone, Niger, and Nepal top this list, measured as a percentage of their national GDP.

According to the State of Social Protection Report 2025, a staggering 2 billion people across the globe remain uncovered or inadequately covered by any form of social protection—a stark reminder of the deep inequalities that still persist in the 21st century.