Schattenwirtschaft#

Grey economy (informal economy, unofficial economy), illicit work and "moonlighting" are terms used to describe work which resembles gainful employment, but is not declared to the government for taxes, as is the case in the regular economy. Due to the grey economy, billions in taxes and social payments are lost and the regular economy is deprived of business opportunities. The grey economy tends to grow in proportion to the increase of the state´s influence on the regular economy. The grey economy is also influenced by the unemployment rate. In 1997 the informal economy accounted for an estimated ATS 220 billion, equal to 8.93 % of GNP, an almost fourfold increase over a period of 20 years.

Literature#