Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Resul Cesur

Founding contributors

Resul Cesur
University of Connecticut

Resul Cesur is an Associate Professor of Healthcare Economics at the University of Connecticut School of Business and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Trained as a labor economist, his research focuses on social determinants of health, human capital formation, and the evaluation of the effects of public policies by employing quasi-experimental research methods. Cesur's research has been published in highly visible professional economics journals. He received his PhD in Economics from Georgia State University in 2009.

Content by this Author

Air pollution and infant mortality: evidence from Turkey

The widespread replacement of coal with natural gas as Turkey’s key energy source over the past 25 years has led to much improved air quality. This column reports research showing that the environmental benefits of the transition to natural gas have resulted in a significant reduction in infant mortality.

Universal primary care lowers mortality: evidence from Turkey

In 2005, Turkey extended basic healthcare services to its entire population under a free-of-charge, centrally administered system. This column reports research showing that the programme was successful in lowering mortality rates across provinces, particularly for the most vulnerable. The findings provide compelling evidence in support of providing accessible healthcare services to all citizens.

Mothers’ education and children’s health

Educational reforms in Turkey 20 years ago led to a significant improvement in the attainment of young men and women. This column reports research indicating that the children of women who were required to extend their time at school from five to eight years are healthier at birth and less likely to die by the age of five.

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The political economy of stalled structural reforms in MENA

There is a persistent pattern to the structural reforms that are required to underpin economic progress in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa: ambitious strategies are announced and partially implemented, but ultimately they are diluted or reversed. This column argues that the repeated stalling of reform is not primarily a failure of economic design. Rather, it reflects deep-seated political economy constraints rooted in rent dependence, elite bargaining and weak institutional credibility. Without addressing these underlying dynamics, reform efforts are likely to remain symbolic rather than transformative.

Untapped talent, unrealised growth: jobs and women in the MENAAP region

Only around one in five women of working age participate in the labour markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. As this column explains, the region can no longer afford to leave half its human capital underused. Expanding women’s labour force participation is central to growth and resilience in the face of looming demographic change.

Closing the gender gap in political participation in MENA

Women across the Middle East and North Africa participate less than men in politics – not only in political parties and elections, but also in petitions, boycotts, protests and strikes. This column reports evidence from ten countries showing that differences in education, employment and political attitudes explain part of this disparity, yet a significant gender gap remains.

Labour demand and informal employment in Egypt’s manufacturing sector

Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge of weak job creation and persistent informality. Drawing on survey evidence on business behaviour and labour market dynamics, this column explains why job creation is limited and informal work remains such an integral part of how firms organise production. The generation of more formal jobs requires a comprehensive policy approach, one that goes beyond enforcement of labour regulations to reshape the economic environment in which firms and workers make decisions.




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