Our Challenge

Despite unprecedented recent economic growth over the past two decades, the Arab world still faces high levels of youth unemployment, underemployment and a shortage of opportunities for young people. While the situation varies significantly by country, over the past fifty years, the region as a whole has experienced the world’s highest rate of population growth. Today, one-third of the population is below the age of fifteen and two-thirds under the age of thirty. Roughly one hundred million new workers are expected to enter the labour market in the next twenty years.

Many top quality organizations and researchers have already been providing needed leadership in documenting this challenge. In order to capitalize on the demographic opportunity, governments in the region must reinvigorate the private sector, integrate youth needs and perspectives into economic policies and employment programs, and better manage labor market services.