Development and labour force in the Sudan, 1955-56 - 2003

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of social and economic development on the size and composition of the labour force in Sudan. The data sources used in the analysis were mainly the two Population Censuses conducted so far in Sudan in 1955-56 and 1973. The main findings are as follows. Socio-economic development in Sudan affected the size of the labour force by reducing the proportions of the total population economically active. Changes in the economic structure and organisation, education and urbanisation were the main determinants of participation in economic activity. These same factors affected the allocation of human resources between different sectors of economic activity. For males there was a shift towards modern economic activities. For females the shift was towards agriculture. Labour force composition in the provinces and regions of Sudan reflects the structural and developmental imbalances between the different areas. Demographic factors, such as fertility and mortality as the main determinant: of age structure, had their effect. If the present patterns and trends persist in the future, they will accentuate the effects of age structure on the relative size of the labour force by bringing further decline with the obvious consequences of that path of development.