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he economic future of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will largely be determined by the fate of its labor markets. Over the next 20 years, the region faces an unprecedented challenge: to create 100 million jobs. Every MENA country suffers from high unemployment, which mostly affects the young, the educated, and women. In addition, MENA has the fastest-growing labor force of any region in the world. To absorb both the unemployed and the new entrants into the labor force by 2020 will require a doubling of the current level of employment. Unlocking the Employment Potential in the Middle East and North Africa provides a comprehensive account of recent employment outcomes and outlines the policy reforms required to improve the performance of the region’s labor markets. But the book goes beyond a technical discussion of labor market outcomes and investigates the broader political–economic aspects of state–society relations. It integrates questions about how to build vibrant labor markets and restore the region’s growth performance into a framework that also addresses issues of population dynamics, socioeconomic trends, employment regulations, the quality of institutions, opportunities in the world economy, and the impact of a redistributive social contract on prospects for reform.Therefore, the book is invaluable for policymakers, academics, and activists in the MENA region, as well as for international observers and the donor community.
“ This volume is a timely contribution to the ongoing debate on economic reform in the MENA region. The findings and conclusions are based on a massive amount of empirical work and a rich historical framework of analysis. Frankly, the Bank is to be congratulated.” Samir Radwan, Managing Director, Economic Research Forum, Egypt
“ This book provides a comprehensive examination of labor markets in MENA. It addresses the economics as well as the political economy behind outcomes, giving the reader a deeper understanding of the challenges ahead. It’s a remarkable work.” Philippe Fargues, Professor of Mediterranean Studies, European University Institute, Italy
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his book is part of a series, the MENA Development Reports, prepared on the occasion of the 2003 World Bank–International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.The series examines topics of importance to the Middle East and North Africa region: trade and investment, governance, gender, and employment. It aims to provide a comprehensive review of the challenges and opportunities the region faces as it strives to fashion a new development strategy to meet the evolving needs of its people.
ISBN 0-8213-5678-X