Неформальная экономика и инновации: contra et pro

Nowadays, with strengthening of global innovation imperatives, researchers and practical people are seeking new areas of economic activities to boost innovation in the informal economy sector. This work can be very important for Russia, where its size according to estimations takes 20% to 50% of the country’s GDP. Viewed from the above, the purpose of the research was to determine the appropriateness of turning to the informal sector to enhance the innovation activity of the national economy. To this end, an analysis of the economists’ views on the informal economy and it abilities to innovate was performed, which is the subject area of the research. The analysis was performed using general scientific and special economic methods including analysis and synthesis, factor analysis, comparative and content analysis, economic comparative studies, statistical analysis, and others. Based on the research findings, the author’s interpretation of the informal economy was proposed, the importance of identifying its segments for determining the ways to implement innovation in them was highlighted and new areas of innovation research in the informal economy were suggested. It is concluded that the current policy related to the sector in question is inadequate and a special consideration should be given to its segments in national innovation strategies.