Summary

 As countries experience growth, jobs can provide individuals with higher

earnings, better benefits, and an opportunity for development. Jobs can help lift
people out of poverty, particularly for women who can invest in their children's
futures. As workers become more skilled and productive, efficiencies increase, and
more productive jobs replace less productive ones. Jobs can bring diverse groups
of people together and provide alternatives to conflict. They're more than just a
byproduct of economic growth - they're transformational, shaping who we are and
what we do.
 In developing countries, while unemployment rates can be low, many of the poor
still work long hours and struggle to make ends meet. This highlights the
importance of creating jobs with high development payoffs. Policymakers face
challenging questions about how best to approach job creation, including whether
to prioritize growth or jobs, whether entrepreneurship can be fostered, and whether
education and training are prerequisites for employability.
Summary

 The World Development Report 2013: Jobs offers answers to these

questions by looking at jobs as drivers of development, rather than
just derived labor demand. It also considers all types of jobs, not just
formal wage employment. The report presents a framework for
policymakers to follow, highlighting that the best policy responses
depend on a country's level of development, demographics, and
institutional factors. Policy fundamentals, such as a vibrant private
sector, are critical to job creation. Labor policies can also help,
although they may not be as essential as once believed.
Development policies, such as supporting smallholder farming,
fostering functional cities, and engaging in global markets, are key
to achieving success.