Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Pooya Alaedini

Pooya Alaedini

Oil rents and Iran’s middle class

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Rabah Arezki

Rabah Arezki

North Africa’s hydrogen mirage

Geopolitical and economic tension in the 21st century: Not your grandfather’s cold war

The multilateral financing paradox

What will it take to achieve an energy transition in MENA?

The World Bank should become the ‘IMF of climate’

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Racha Ramadan

Racha Ramadan

Inequalities in Jordan before and after the pandemic

Inequality of income and education in Jordan

Time to rethink inequality in Arab states

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Rachel Yuting Fan

Rachel Yuting Fan

Challenges of conflict and industrial policy for development

On calamities, debt and growth in developing countries

Reality check: forecasting MENA growth in times of uncertainty

MENA public healthcare systems: building resilience for future emergencies

Energy subsidies: easy pickings for climate policy or political bombshell?

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Raed Safadi

Raed Safadi

Harnessing technology for export growth by small businesses

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Most read

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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