Sam Porter explains the economics of a typical taxi driver's earnings in Dili, TImor-Leste. He peels back the layers of the issue using economics and explores what can be done to improve earnings and subsequently, the livelihoods of taxi drivers and other small business owners in a developing country context.

Sam Porter is an economist and activist who is passionate about communicating big ideas through everyday language.

Sam grew up in Hong Kong, has called London and Sydney - and now Dili - home. Sam moved to Timor-Leste in 2014 following hot on the heels of his partner who works with a women's advocacy NGO.

Before moving to Dili, Sam spent the past five years working in the Australian labor movement, analysing public and economic policy and working on political campaigns. Sam was inspired by working with low income Australians, empowering them to campaign for a fairer and more equal society.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx