<p>This article develops methodological foundations for effective mechanisms to reduce informal employment in a digitized socially oriented market economy. The situation with informal employment of able-bodied population in rural areas of our republic is systematically analyzed. The need for methodological research to reduce informal employment is based on an in-depth analysis of the scientific views of foreign and domestic economists. <br /> According to the results of scientific research, the main types of employment in the informal sector of the economy are identified and their structural elements are categorized. On the basis of these methodological studies effective economic, sociodemographic and organizational-legal mechanisms to reduce informal employment in rural areas and the interdependence of their components are identified. From the methodological point of view, this article develops scientifically substantiated conclusions and recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the main mechanisms to reduce informal employment of able-bodied people in rural areas.</p>