Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Çaglar Özden

Author

Çaglar Özden
Deputy Chief Economist for the Middle East and North Africa, World Bank

Çaglar Özden is the Deputy Chief Economist for the Middle East and North Africa. Prior, he was a Lead Economist in the Development Research Group and co-director of the 2023 World Development Report, Migrants, Refugees, and Societies. He was the co-author of recent World Bank report Global Skill Partnerships and lead author of the Policy Research Report Moving for Prosperity: Global Migration and Labor Markets. A Turkish national, Çağlar received his undergraduate degrees in economics and industrial engineering from Cornell University and a PhD in economics from Stanford University. He is a fellow of Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration, and the Economic Research Forum. His research explores the nexus of globalization of product and labor markets, government policies, and economic development. He has edited three books and published numerous papers in leading academic journals such as the American Economic Review and the Economic Journal. His current research projects explore the determinants and patterns of global labor mobility, brain drain, internal migration, ageing and demographic trends, and linkages between labor, trade, and foreign direct investment flows.

Content by this Author

Challenges of conflict and industrial policy for development

How effective is industrial policy as a tool for long-term economic growth and development? Against the backdrop of the conflict currently engulfing the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), a new report argues that while industrial policies are widely used across the region, they can only address market failures and foster growth when they are aligned with country capabilities, implemented with accountability and backed by capable institutions.

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.

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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.

Challenges of conflict and industrial policy for development

How effective is industrial policy as a tool for long-term economic growth and development? Against the backdrop of the conflict currently engulfing the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), a new report argues that while industrial policies are widely used across the region, they can only address market failures and foster growth when they are aligned with country capabilities, implemented with accountability and backed by capable institutions.




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