Jobs Undone: How the Middle East and North Africa Region Can Recover its Lost Decades

The report aims to stimulate structural reforms in MENA to enable the region to spur sufficient and decent job creation and leapfrog into the new industrial revolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: World Bank Publications

The report aims to stimulate structural reforms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that will enable the region to create sufficient and decent job opportunities while also taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the new industrial revolution.

The report recognizes that MENA faces significant challenges in terms of job creation, including a young and rapidly growing population, a lack of investment in infrastructure, and a skills mismatch between the available workforce and the demands of the industry. To address these challenges, the report proposes a comprehensive set of structural reforms that will focus on promoting economic diversification, improving the business environment, and enhancing the skills of the workforce.

Economic diversification is a key component of the report's recommendations. The region needs to shift its focus away from dependence on oil and gas exports and towards other sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. This will require significant investment in infrastructure, research and development, and human capital. By promoting economic diversification, the region can create new job opportunities and reduce its vulnerability to economic shocks.

Improving the business environment is another critical aspect of the report's recommendations. This will involve reducing regulatory barriers, improving access to finance, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. By creating a more business-friendly environment, the region can attract investment and promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the economy.

Enhancing the skills of the workforce is also a critical component of the report's recommendations. This will involve investing in education and training programs that will equip workers with the skills they need to compete in the global economy. This will require collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as international organizations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

In conclusion, the report aims to stimulate structural reforms in MENA that will enable the region to spur sufficient and decent job creation while also taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the new industrial revolution. The report recognizes that MENA faces significant challenges in terms of job creation, but proposes a comprehensive set of structural reforms that will focus on promoting economic diversification, improving the business environment, and enhancing the skills of the workforce. By implementing these reforms, the region can create a more prosperous and sustainable future for its citizens.

Weight: 192g
ISBN-13: 9781464817359