The IMF Survey published on 16 May contained fresh confirmation of the shockingly high unemployment in key Arab states.
The survey reports unemployment in the Middle East and North Africa is among the highest in the world. It is also largely a youth phenomenom.
Countries with more than 10 per cent unemployment in 2012 were Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. Egypt’s unemployment was about 35 per cent, the historic tendency for the country to have high levels of joblessness compounded by the negative impact on growth and investment of political events since the start of 2011.
A conference in Amman earlier this month that was supported by the IMF said tackling youth unemployment and reorienting public spending to promote inclusive growth are two of the most urgent priorities for the Arab countries in transition.
To see the report in full, go to: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2014/car051614a.htm
