Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Kowsar Yousefi

Author

Kowsar Yousefi
Associate professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Tehran

Kowsar Yousefi is an Associate Professor at University of Tehran. After earning her PhD in economics from University of Texas at Austin, Kowsar was a post-doctoral researcher at the Northwestern University, School of Law. Kowsar has earned an M.A in Economics and a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering from Sharif University of Technology.

Content by this Author

Physicians’ incentives and rising births by c-section: evidence from Iran

In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa, rates of caesarean deliveries are above what is recommended by the World Health Organization. This column summarises new research that evaluates the effects of a major healthcare policy in Iran in which doctors and patients received financial incentives to opt for vaginal delivery instead of c-section.

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A Macroeconomic Accounting of Unemployment in Jordan:  Unemployment is mainly an issue for adults and men

Since unemployment rates in Jordan are higher among young people and women than other groups, unemployment is commonly characterised as a youth and gender issue. However, the majority of the country’s unemployed are adults and men. This suggests that unemployment is primarily a macroeconomic issue challenge for the entire labour market. The appropriate response therefore is coordinated fiscal, monetary, structural and institutional policies, while more targeted measures can still benefit specific groups.

Global value chains and sustainable development

What is the role of exchange rate undervaluation in promoting participation in global value chains by firms in developing countries? What is the impact of the stringency of national environmental regulations on firms’ GVC participation? And how do firms’ political connections affect their participation in GVCs? These questions will be explored for the MENA region at a special session of the ERF annual conference, which takes place in Cairo in April 2025.

Adoption of decentralised solar energy: lessons from Palestinian households

The experience of Palestinian households offers a compelling case study of behavioural adaptation to energy poverty via solar water heater adoption. This column highlights the key barriers to solar energy adoption in terms of both the socio-economic status and dwellings of potential users. Policy-makers need to address these barriers to ensure a just and equitable transition, particularly for households in conflict-affected areas across the MENA region.




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