The correct option is 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Disguised unemployment is a specific type of unemployment where more individuals are employed in an activity than are actually required for its execution. It is characterized by a situation where the marginal productivity of labor is zero.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The situation described-where people are able and willing to work at the prevailing wage rate but cannot find work-is the definition of Open Unemployment. In disguised unemployment, individuals appear to be employed, but they are not fully utilized.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Disguised unemployment is most prevalent in the agricultural sector of developing economies. Due to joint family systems and a lack of alternative employment opportunities, surplus family members often work on the same plot of land, resulting in overcrowding.
- Statement 3 is Correct. A core characteristic of disguised unemployment is that the contribution of the extra workers to the total output is nil. Therefore, if these surplus workers are withdrawn, the total production does not fall.
Key Takeaway:
Disguised unemployment exists when the marginal physical productivity of labor is zero, meaning the removal of surplus labor does not reduce aggregate output.