Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Ioannis Bournakis

Author

Ioannis Bournakis
American University in Cairo

Dr. Ioannis Bournakis is an Associate Professor in Economics at the American University in Cairo. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Kent, UK, and an MA in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Manchester, UK. His research interests are in the areas of Applied Macroeconomics, Productivity, Regional Economics, and Innovation. He has recently published on the fiscal aspects of productivity in the UK. His work also focuses on the role of agglomeration gains in knowledge transfer at the firm and industry level. The macroeconomic work of Ioannis is on growth models, the link between financial reforms and innovation, and the impact of fiscal adjustments on productivity. More recently, Ioannis has developed a research interest in the interplay between institutional roots and the current performance of the MENA countries. Dr. Bournakis has published thirteen papers in international peer-reviewed journals among them in Regional Studies, Economic Inquiry, Review of Income and Wealth, Macroeconomic Dynamics, and Economic Modelling.

Content by this Author

Income inequality convergence across Egyptian governorates

Although the aggregate level of income inequality in Egypt seems to be relatively low and stable, the figures are likely to mask large inequalities at the regional level. This column summarises new evidence on differences in income inequality across governorates, the extent to which those differences are narrowing and the effects on different parts of the income distribution.

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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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