Arab Human Development Report PDF

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2 Arab Human Development Report 2016 Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a Changing Reality
Arab Human Development
Report 2016
Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a

Changing Reality
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Published for the

United Nations
Development Programme
Regional Bureau
for Arab States
3
FOREWORD
Last year, world leaders adopted the 2030 a number of Arab countries since 2011
Agenda for Sustainable Development as a with youth at the forefront has led to
vision for transforming global development fundamental transformations across the
over the next fifteen years to build a more entire region. Some countries have seen
peaceful, prosperous, sustainable, and new national constitutions, free and fair
inclusive future. The Agenda asserts that elections, and a widening of the public
young women and men are critical agents participation sphere for previously excluded
of change, and are central to achieving groups. Elsewhere, however, systems
sustainable development. which had maintained stability came under
serious challenge, with protracted conflict
Published at a time when countries ensuing. This report emphasizes that
are developing in earnest their plans to empowerment and engagement of youth
implement the 2030 Agenda, the “Arab at this important juncture in the history of
Human Development Report 2016: Youth the region is essential for laying new and
and the Prospects for Human Development more durable foundations for stability.
in a Changing Reality” strongly echoes this
assertion. It calls on Arab States to invest The report explores the many challenges
in their youth, and to empower them to which youth in the Arab region continue to
engage in development processes. This is face. Many continue to receive an education
a critical and urgent priority in its own right, which does not reflect the needs of labour
and it is a prerequisite for achieving tangible markets. High numbers of young people,
and sustainable progress on development particularly young women, are unemployed
and stability for the entire region. The report and excluded from the formal economy.
makes two key arguments for investing in Young people without livelihoods find it
young people in the region: difficult to establish an independent home
and form their own family units. The risk
First, that while young people between the for these young people is that instead of
ages of fifteen and 29 make up nearly a third exploring opportunities and discovering
of the region›s population, another third are future prospects, they experience
below the age of fifteen. This “demographic frustration, helplessness, alienation, and
momentum” will last for at least the next two dependency.
decades, and offers an historic opportunity
which Arab countries must seize. It goes without saying that young people
across the Arab States have been severely
Second, the report underlines that the affected by the recent crises. Large
wave of protests which has swept through numbers of them were swept onto the
frontlines of conflicts they did not start. will galvanize decision makers, other
Many died, and many more have lost key stakeholders, and young people
family members and friends, livelihoods themselves across the Arab States’ region
and prospects, and hope in the future. In to ensure greater participation of youth in
the face of such challenges, some have development. Without such participation,
joined extremist groups. it will be difficult to secure progress and
ensure sustainable development.
In response to these challenges, the Report
argues for youth empowerment from a The United Nations Development
human development perspective. This Programme is committed to supporting
defines the goal of development as the and facilitating progress in the Arab States’
expansion of the choices and freedoms region towards a more prosperous and
available to people to live in ways they stable future. We will continue to work
want and value. closely with our partners in all Arab States,
the regional and sub-regional institutions,
Youth empowerment requires enhancing and sister United Nations agencies and
the capabilities of young people. Delivery other international partners. We look
systems for basic services, particularly in forward to the discussions which we hope
education and health, must be improved. this report will stimulate, and to supporting
The opportunities available to youth must innovative and practical recommendations
be expanded – through economies which which come from those.
generate decent work and encourage
entrepreneurship, political environments
which encourage freedom of expression
and active participation, and social systems
which promote equality and act against all
forms of discrimination.
In 2030, the Arab States will look back

to assess what they have achieved
over the fifteen years of the SDGs to
fulfill the promise of peace, prosperity, Helen Clark
and sustainable development for future Administrator
generations. We hope that this report United Nations Development Programme
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PREFACE
Coming five years after the events of 2011, youth (by which we mean young women
widely referred to as “the Arab Spring,” the and young men) in society. Numerous
publication of this report follows a period of analysts have linked the wave of protests,
extensive debate over the transformations spearheaded by young people with many
that had occurred since in many Arab significant transformations that have
countries and in particular over the part that changed and are continuing to change
young people may have played in those political, economic and social foundations
transformations. Some considered the in several countries in the Arab region.
contribution of young people as a glimmer
of hope for a new renaissance that would The “Arab Human Development Report
lead the region towards a better future, 2016: Youth and the Prospects for Human
whereas others considered it a seditious Development in a Changing Reality” seeks
influence dragging the region into chaos to make a balanced contribution to a
and jeopardising its future. renewed and broad debate involving key
relevant stakeholders about the best
Events of 2011 inspired the thematic means of engaging youth in development
focus of this report on youth in the Arab in the region. It seeks to engage young
region. Yet, publishing it five years after people themselves in that debate with
has spared the report’s research outlook all other stakeholders over the issues it
and its analyses from falling prey to the presents.
intellectual clamour and reactive posturing
that usually accompany the examination Youth empowerment key to future
of defining moments of change, such development in Arab countries
as the ones that have swept the region The Report argues that young people are
since 2011. This temporal distance has not a problem or a burden on development;
allowed us a calm and reflective approach they are rather a key resource for resolving
to evaluating the pulse on the street, the problems of development in the
monitoring developments and analysing region. It concludes that Arab states can
premises and effects, particularly regarding achieve a huge developmental leap and
the reaction of official circles to the wave of ensure durable stability if they put the
change, amidst continuing popular efforts empowerment of their youth at the top
to expand opportunities for change and to of their urgent priorities and harness their
shape a better future. energy to advance development processes.
The events of 2011 in the Arab region have From that perspective, the Report calls on
refocused attention on the pivotal role of Arab states to adopt a new development
model that focuses on enhancing the Events in the region since 2011 have
capabilities of young people, unleashing demonstrated the ability of young people
their energy and expanding the opportunities to initiate action and catalyse change. They
available to them, thus allowing them demonstrated young people’s awareness
more freedom to shape their futures, and of the serious challenges to development
contributing actively to development in their posed by current conditions, and their ability
societies and countries. to express the dissatisfaction of society as a
whole with those conditions and its demands
Numbers matter for change. These events also revealed the
Most recent statistics indicate that two- depth of the marginalisation that young
thirds of the Arab region’s population is people suffer and their inability to master
below thirty years of age, half of which the instruments of organised political action
falling within the 15 - 29-year age bracket. that could guarantee the peacefulness and
This age category defines “youth” according sustainability of such change.
to the Report, which estimates the number
of young people in the region at over one Events since 2011 have proved also that
hundred million. employing a predominantly security-based
approach to responding to demands for
This unprecedented demographic mass of change without addressing the root causes
young people at the prime of their working of discontent may achieve temporary
and productive abilities constitutes a huge stability and ward off cycles of protest,
potential for advancing economic and social but does not reduce the possibilities of their
development if given the opportunity. The recurrence—it may lead to the accumulation
report points out that this demographic of these demands and their re-emergence
window provides a genuine opportunity more violently.
over the coming two decades that the
region must urgently seize. Enhancing capabilities and expanding
opportunities: the duality of youth
Disempowerment of youth sows the empowerment
seeds of instability In practice, empowering youth requires,
The report asserts that today’s generation of on the one hand, introducing changes
young people is more educated, active and to the political, economic and social
connected to the outside world, and hence environment that causes their exclusion.
have a greater awareness of their realities Such changes must increase opportunities
and higher aspirations for a better future. for young people to engage in the spheres
However, young people’s awareness of of official politics; stimulate a macro-
their capabilities and rights collides with a economy capable of producing decent
reality that marginalises them and blocks work for young people and enhancing
their pathways to express their opinions, their entrepreneurship; and entrench the
actively participate or earn a living. As a principles of justice, equality and equal
result, instead of being a massive potential opportunity in society, challenging all
for building the future, youth can become discriminatory practices based on identity,
an overwhelming power for destruction. belief, ethnicity or gender.
7
On the other hand, youth empowerment and enhance coordination amongst all
requires serious investments in improving stakeholders to ensure a greater role and
the basic services necessary for enhancing wider participation of young people in
young people’s capabilities, particularly in formulating public policies, scrutinising
education, health and other social services. budgetary allocations, and monitoring
accountability for the implementation and
In our Arab region, which is experiencing progress towards achievement of national
an unprecedented escalation of conflicts priorities.
that undermine gains of development, and
in some instances reverse progress, the A new generation of Arab Human
pursuit of empowerment must be rooted Development Reports
in serious and rapid efforts to establish In this iteration of the Arab Human
security, peace and social stability, ensuring Development Reports series, we seek to
the full and active participation of young test new methods to widen the debate over
people in such efforts. human development in the Arab region,
especially with two key audience categories
Three levels of reform of the Report—government stakeholders
The empowerment of the youth requires including decision makers dealing with
reforms at three levels. The first pertains youth issues, and young people themselves.
to redirecting macro-policies that regulate
the social contract between the state With decision makers in mind, we have
and its citizens and the macro-economic decided to limit the publication of the
structure to ensure inclusiveness and hard copy of this report to its executive
widen opportunities for all, including young summary, in which we have included the
people, in a fair and non-discriminatory most important propositions and messages
manner. derived from the rich information and
analyses in the report’s chapters. We
The second level focuses on sector- present this executive summary as a “policy
specific policies, particularly in the fields paper” that goes beyond a mere descriptive
of education, health and employment, and presentation summarizing the report’s
aims to ensure the availability and quality chapters to focus on the most significant
of the services that will enhance young policy options and avenues for action. Our
people’s capabilities, hence widening their hope is that the impact of the report will
freedom of choice. not be limited to serious debates amongst
officials concerned with youth issues, but
Finally, the third level relates to national that its proposals will motivate practical
youth policies, which must transcend partial action and concrete measures.
and short-term approaches attempting to
“find solutions to the problems of young In keeping with new patterns of knowledge
people,” which are at time superficial consumption, particularly amongst young
and ineffective. Instead, youth policies people – the other key audience of the
must interact effectively with the first Report – we are publishing the full Report
and second levels of suggested reform only in a digital version posted on our
website on the internet. In addition to Administrator and Director of the United
making the digital version of the full chapters Nations Development Programme Regional
of the report available for downloading Bureau for Arab States through August,
as customary, we were keen to support 2016, under whose leadership this
their content with interactive and data report was undertaken. I also thank the
visualization tools, to allow for a wider researchers who have put together this
dialogue and sharing of ideas, particularly important analysis, which will remain a
those contributed by young people. To touchstone for years to come.
increase circulation and engagement, we
are also making the digital version of the
report mobile-friendly through an interactive
application. We hope that this will contribute
to widening the active participation of
young people alongside all other concerned
stakeholders in discussing the issues raised
in the Report, expounding its ideas and
engaging in implementing them. Sophie de Caen
Regional Director, a.i.
I express my gratitude to Sima Bahous, Regional Bureau for Arab States
Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant United Nations Development Programme
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Advisory Board Khansa Alhajj, Khaoula Mghar, Khouloud

Alkaabi, Maram Al Qassab, Mazen El
Ezzadine Saeed Al Asbahi, Aseel Alawadhi, Kadi, Mohamed Amdouni, Mohamed
Turki Al Dakhil, Raya Al Hassan, Ahmad Azraq, Mohamed Ibrahim, Mohammad
Alhendawi, Ayman Al Sayyad, Abdelwahab Fayez Ealayan, Moustafa Mahni, Murad
El-Affendi Osman, Ali Fakhro, Rafia Obaid Khawaldeh, Noor Adnan Hashim, Noura
Ghubash, Zahra’ Langhi, Rabie Nasser, Alouhily, Olga Al Toum, Omar Bashir,
Hibaaq Osman, Magued Osman, Omar Rehab Abdella, Saadia Ben Abdellah,
Razzaz, Younes Sekkouri. Safwan Shetwan, Samira Hassan Ahmed,
Sawssen Gharbi, Somia Othman, Trad
Youth Consultative Group Bahabri, Yamamah Farooq Shakir, Yosra Al
Mokt, Zahrah Abdullah Awadh, Marwa Al
Yanis Bouda, Fatema Ali Husain, Somaia Tamimi, Majed Hussein, Qais Al Maqrishi,
Metwally, Nada Bedir, Basim Dawood, Ghazi Ahmed, Cinderella Al Homsi, Samer
Munaalrouh Al-Jalil, Ghaith Al Ghaffari, Al Aswad, Zahraa Fares, Manal Harfoush,
Faten Al Wali, Tuqa Al Bdour, Hadeel Mohamed Abou Samra, Yousef Zdam,
Abusoufeh, Safia Al Ajlan, Saad Al Dousari, Bilbijawi Basma, Ghinwa Zaani.
Mohamed Hamuda, Karima Rhanem,
Asmaa Al Jamali, Salim Al Riyami, Bader Core Team
Zamareh, Rand Jarallah, Lama Al Ghalib,
Abdirahman Abdilrisak, Mohamed Hassan Jad Chaaban (Team Leader), Nadje Al-Ali,
Mohamoud, Moataz Elnour, Adam Rima Afifi, Francoise De Bel-Air, Brahim
Omer, Abdourahman Aden Ahmed, Boudarbat, Melani Cammett, Ishac Diwan,
Aya Abdalla, Alan Jalal Ahmed, Hajer Daniel Egel, Philippe Fargues, Alexandra
Alhuneid, Merouane Arim, Abdelkader Irani, Nader Kabbani, Noura Kamel,
Bougrara, Adnane Al Dalhi, Ousama El Georgina Manok, Nisreen Salti.
Aissi, Ahmed El-Kenawy, Amal Fathallah,
Amany El Touchy, Asma Ben Abdelaziz, Background Paper Authors
Asmaa Samir, Ayman Dandash, Dana
Abou Laban, Dema Kharabshesh, Dham Tarik Akin, Zahra Ali, Omar Ashour, Filipe
Ateeq Dham, Farah Al-Essa, Ghada Al Campante, Yousef Daoud, Omar Dewachi,
Mutawakel, Hassan Tabikh, Hayam Essam Mohamed El-Agati, Georges Fahmi, Julie
El-Din, Hozayfa Shamma, Hussain Ahmed de Jong, Rayan Majed, Isabel Marler,
Al Eskafi, Ilham Haji Hashi, Jamaludin Mohammed-Ali Marouani, Zaki Mehchy,
Abdikarim Awke, Jibriil Omar Sheik Omar Rouba Mhaissen, Mansoor Moaddel, Larbi
Mohamed, Karrar Hussein, Khaled Doway, Sadiki, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Zeina Zaatari.
Readers Group Design
Ragui Assaad, Ibrahim Awad, Sultan Cover

Barakat, Fares Braizat, Amaney Jamal, Impact BBDO, Beirut, Lebanon
Zahir Jamal, Sherine Shawky, Zafiris Report
Tzannatos. Prolance FZC, Beirut, Lebanon
Infographics
Translation Dany Wazen
Arabic text: Ghassan Ghosn UNDP/Regional Bureau for Arab States

English text: Samira Kawar Team
Editing Sima Bahous (Regional Director, 2012 –2016),

Mourad Wahba (2013–2015), Sophie de Caen
Arabic text: Ghassan Ghosn, Tony Atallah, (Regional Director, a.i.), Adel Abdellatif (Re-
Zeinab Najem port Coordinator), Tarek Abdelhadi, Noeman
English text: Communications Development Alsayyad, Arkan Al Seblani, Maya Abi Zeid,
Incorporated, Mark Bender, Rima Rantissi, Maya Beydoun, Farah Choucair, Samah
Robert Zimmermann Hammoud, Maya Morsy (2014-2015), Madi
Musa, Yasser Najem, Dany Wazen.
11
CONTENTS
Foreword 2
Preface 4
Acknowledgments 8
Executive Summary
1. Introduction 12
2. The events of 2011 and their aftermath from the human development perspective 17
3. The dynamics of youth disempowerment 21
3.1 Scant suitable work opportunities 21
3.2 Weak political participation 25
3.3 Poor quality public services in health and education 27
3.4 Mismanagement of social diversity 28
3.5 The prevalence of concepts and practices that hinder gender equality 28
3.6 Prolonged conflicts that undermine the gains of development 29
4. Religion, identity and violent extremism 32
5. Human development gains in the Arab region under fire 35
6. Towards a new development model fit for youth 38
Endnotes 46
Background papers 47
Bibliography 48
Boxes
Box 1: Definition of youth 12
Box 2: Demographic trends in the Arab region 14
Box 3: National youth policies and strategies in the Arab region 14
Box 4: Corruption: an invisible nail in the coffin of development in the Arab region 19
Box 5: The quality of education in the Arab countries 25
Box 6: The effects of war and conflict on young women 27
Box 7: The views of youth in the Arab region on violent extremism 34
Box 8: The effects of war and armed conflict on Arab countries 36
Box 9: The link between economic integration and human development
40
in the Arab region
Box 10: Marrakesh declaration on the rights of religious minorities in
42
predominantly Muslim communities
Figures
Figure 1: Youth in the Arab region: a demographic dividend to be harnessed 13
Figure 2: Public protests in North Africa 1996–2011 17
Figure 3: Average annual growth, human development index, 1980–2013 18
Figure 4: Perspectives of youth in the Arab region: Most important challenges 22
Figure 5: Youth unemployment in the Arab region: One of the greatest challenges 23
Figure 6: Oil price trends and regional GDP growth intertwined 24
Figure 7: Youth political participation in the Arab region: voices outside
26
the ballot-box
Figure 8: The costs of conflict in the Arab region 30
Figure 9: Suggested features of a new development model fit for youth 39
Figure 10: Perspectives of youth in the Arab region: My WORLD: priorities
44
of the Arab States
Tables
Table 1: Religion is an important part of your daily life
33
(% of respondents saying yes)
13
1. INTRODUCTION
The Arab Human Development Report region—from the perspective of human

series has, since its launch in 2002, development. The report concludes by
presented an accurate and frank description proposing strategies to empower youth
of the dynamics of human development in and the formulation of a new development
the Arab region, endeavouring to uncover model fit for youth and with the potential
the challenges facing the region, analyzing to achieve positive change.
the social, political and economic trends
that influence the region and contributing Over the past 50 years, average population
to guiding the debates on crucial issues growth rates in the Arab region have been
with the aim of advancing the development among the highest in the world (figure 1).
process. This expanding population exerts great
pressure on societies and represents
This report, the sixth in the series, seeks a heavy burden on state institutions
to provide a common platform for the and basic infrastructure. The massive
debate on the future of development demographic wave began to recede
in the Arab region by considering the after peaking in the 1960s and 1970s
situation of youth (box 1), who constitute (box 2). However, the effects continue
a pivotal issue, particularly at this time. to reverberate through the region’s
The report´s eight chapters are based on demographic structure, albeit to varying
a careful, in-depth reading of the events degrees from one country to another, given
of 2011—including the background and that around 60 percent of the population
continuing ramifications throughout the is under 30 years of age.
Box 1
Definition of youth
Youth can be broadly described as the phase in life during the Arab region, and given the absence of a regionally
which a person’s state changes from one of dependence accepted definition.
(childhood) to one of independence (adulthood). For Young people do not constitute a homogenous group
statistical purposes, the United Nations defines youth in any case because their circumstances differ widely
as individuals of ages 15–24 years. However, this report within and across countries. Despite these differences,
employs a wider definition of youth, which stretches across a regional analysis can provide a wider understanding of
ages 15–29 so as to reflect the prolonged transitions the main features of the development of youth within the
to adulthood faced by many young men and women in larger topic of human development.
Source: Report Team
Figure 1
Youth in the Arab region: A demographic dividend to be harnessed
Rapid population growth 2050 604 million
2010 350 million
1970 124 million
Source: UN DESA 2013.
Investing in the energy of the youth 27.9%
population now is vital 25.9%
22.1%
30
% 20
10
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Share of youth (15–29 years) as a % of population

Arab countries Africa Asia Europe Latin America and the Caribbean North Amarica Oceania
Source: Report Team calculations based on UN DESA 2013.
Rising number of youth in urban areas

Share of populations living in urban areas Share of youth living in urban areas
2015 (57%) 2050 (75%)
JORDAN 82% Kuwait ≈ 98%
EGYPT 42% TUNISIA 67%

Source: UNDP 2013b. Source: World Bank 2015, ILO 2014c, 2014d, 2014e.
Source: Report team.
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Box 2
Demographic trends in the Arab region
The Arab counties have experienced high average Algeria (after 2002), Egypt (after 2006), Morocco (after
population growth rates over the past 50 years, most 2003), Oman (after 2007) and Tunisia (after 2010)—once
notably in the 1970s when the growth rate exceeded again experienced a gradual increase in population growth
3.3 percent compared with 1.8 percent worldwide. It rates. However, rates in most other countries continue to
subsequently began to drop, reaching 2.2 percent in 2014. fall, albeit at a lower rate.
As the new millennium began, some countries—such as
Source: Report Team
Within this context, young people, as a working and being productive. The large
demographic group, are considered an number of economically productive people
urgent challenge: their numbers exceed compared with those who are dependent
105 million, equivalent to one third of constitutes an important advantage that can
the population. This is the highest share help propel economic growth, resulting in
in the history of the region. At the same a demographic dividend. Without proper
time, these young people represent an investment in youth, the opportunity
unprecedented opportunity because, by represented by this demographic dividend
virtue of the investment made by Arab for promoting development will gradually
countries over decades, they are more well disappear and may not recur in the
educated, healthier and better connected Arab region. Although the slow pace of
to the world than previous generations. development is affecting everyone, it is
especially felt by young people.
The importance of the young demographic
bloc is not only linked to size, but also to Youth in the Arab region suffer to varying
the inherent energy of young people in degrees as a result of the state of human
Box 3
National youth policies and strategies in the Arab region
Since the beginning of the third millennium, nine Arab of the absence of coordination among the institutions
countries have adopted national youth policies or strategies. involved in providing youth with development opportunities
Some policies have been formulated in cooperation (such as ministries and institutions of education, labour, and
with the United Nations, particularly the United Nations health care), or because of the absence of accountability
Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations deriving from a lack of evaluation of the effects of the
Children´s Fund. However, despite the efforts that have policies and strategies and the failure to encourage youth
been undertaken, progress remains limited because the to participate in formulating, implementing, monitoring and
decisions on implementation have been deficient, because evaluating the decisions.
Source: Report Team
development. Young people feel deeply are recognized, developed and tapped.
anxious about their future and are gripped This report calls for placing young people
by an inherent sense of discrimination and at the heart of the development process,
exclusion. Many of them do not receive which includes providing young people
good education, find suitable employment, with genuine opportunities to unleash their
or have appropriate health care. Moreover, energy and shape their future.
youth in Arab countries are insufficiently
represented in public life, and have no In parallel, the report warns that the policies
meaningful say in shaping policies that and practices of exclusion across various
influence their lives. These failures are fields, the lack of sufficient protection
exacerbated among young women, who of political freedoms and human rights,
face additional burdens of gender inequality weak economic competitiveness and the
and the persisting gap in the empowerment failure to establish good governance—
of women in economic, political and social particularly through greater transparency
life, despite the achievements made in a and accountability—are threatening the
number of countries. future prospects of youth and drawing
some into circumstances that hinder their
Many government decisions during development. The risky circumstances
past decades have resulted in the include ideologies of violent extremism,
marginalization of a large segment of particularly because several countries are
the youth population, and the insufficient experiencing escalating conflicts, fragile
government attention to the needs of state institutions and a flawed relationship
youth has caused young people to build between political authorities and societal
up a sense of bitterness and provoked forces.
feelings of resentment. Historically, and
during rapid demographic growth, young If the voices and potential of youth in Arab
people become cons picu ous in public countries remain ignored, and formal or
life. 1 That presence has re-emerged partial initiatives with no tangible impact on
over the past five years, and increasing people’s lives continue to be implemented,
numbers of young people are actively youth will grow ever more alienated,
challenging governments, which they prompting them to lose their capacity
hold responsible for failing to achieve to act as constructive forces serving
development. This can be clearly seen development. Rather, they will become a
in the wave of protests that were led potent source of protracted social instability
by youth in 2011 and which highlighted threatening human security, which was
the urgent need to change the existing thoroughly addressed in the 2009 Arab
patterns of managing public affairs and Human Development Report, in all its
the resources of society. dimensions. This would in turn threaten
the entire development process.
There can be no doubt that young people
in Arab countries can be effective agents in The report does not merely call for
bringing about the positive change required developing youth policies and strategies
in the region, provided their capabilities (box 3), but also for reformulating sectoral
17
and general policies in the Arab region in broad-based discussions of the specific
around a new development model fit for issues raised by youth themselves and
youth in light of the region’s changing to encourage the participation of youth
economic, political and social reality. The in these discussions to define the nature
report seeks, within this framework, to of the societies they want to inhabit as
motivate various stakeholders to engage adults.
2. THE EVENTS OF 2011 AND THEIR
AFTERMATH FROM THE HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE
The powerful protests that swept through education and suitable livelihoods. This
the Arab region in 2011 served as a exacerbated the problem of the slow
tipping point: it was no longer possible to growth in incomes from which the region
contain the pressure for change (figure 2). had suffered for a long time, widening the
However, the protests also coincided with income gap across social sectors.
situations of acute conflict and instability
largely linked to old inherited problems. This evaluation is based on an analysis of
the human development index of the United
This report holds that the events of 2011 Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
and their ramifications are the outcome of which monitors progress in major aspects of
public policies over many decades that people’s lives, including longevity in a state
gradually led to the exclusion of large of good health, educational attainment, and
sectors of the population from economic, enjoyment of a decent standard of living.
political and social life, depriving many Following the region’s success in raising
people of appropriate health care, good the averages of the index in 1990–2010 as
Figure 2
Public protests in North Africa 1996–2011
700
600
500
400
%
300
200
100
1996=100
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Source: Tzannatos, Z. and Abu Ismail, K. 2013. [Taken from OECD Development Centre (based on Information of Agence France Press)].
19
Figure 3
Average annual growth, human development index, 1980–2013
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
%
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Latin America Europe and Arab States East Asia and Sub-Saharan South Asia
and the Central Asia the Pacific Africa
Caribbean
1980–1990 1990–2000 2000–2013
Source: UNDP 2014.
the result of progress in health care and to key entitlements through employment
education, the index began to fall (figure in public sector institutions or through
3). The annual growth rate of the index government food subsidies, thus reducing
fell by more than half between 2010 and poverty and income inequality, while
2014 relative to the rate in 2000–2010 2, shielding previously deprived groups from
seemingly under the combined influence economic pressures.6
of the global financial crisis in 2008–2009,
political instability and the wars and armed However, these ostensibly positive
conflicts that flared up in a number of Arab outcomes entailed a deeper trade-off in the
countries.If the current trend continues, long run. The gains in human development
the region is expected to rank fifth among rarely translated into gains in productivity
the six world regions 3 on the human and growth because the model trapped
development index by 2050, above only human capital in unproductive public
sub-Saharan Africa. 4 sector jobs, while building up a pyramid
of privilege that gave economic advantages
For decades, the governments of the region to companies and individuals closely
have adopted a state-led development linked to decision makers and reinforcing
model dominated by the public sector, structural alliances among political and
which became the provider of first and economic elites so they could protect
last resort of economic activity, thereby their own interests. Ultimately, the model
creating several contradictions. 5 The model supported individuals from cradle to grave,
expanded the access of the population but bequeathed a negative legacy.
Box 4
Corruption: an invisible nail in the coffin of development in the Arab region
The change in the dynamics of demography in the Arab economic alliances that directed public policies and
countries was not accompanied by an appropriate society’s resources towards serving personal interests
shift in the economic development model adopted by in the absence of effective mechanisms to guarantee
governments. A rentier economy persisted with the transparency and accountability.
attendant negative effects that disrupted growth and
strengthened exclusion. Is such a deficiency merely This also contributed to depriving the region of the
the result of a lack of experience or short-sightedness fruits of integration into the global economy because
or are there other factors? A fruitful line of research is corruption is considered noxious to foreign investment.
the relationship between the deficiency in the economic This is because it increases investor costs, threatens the
model and corruption, the misuse of authority to gain a stability of investor transactions and renders investors
special undeserved benefit that undermines the public liable to legal action as intercontinental legal instruments
good. develop and the monitoring of cash flows through
banks is tightened. If officials or their relatives insist
The events of 2011 and their aftermath highlighted on blackmailing investors to partner with them, use
corruption as a major challenge in the region. The available their influence to grant facilities, create obstacles to
information and intensive research on the subject over honest competition, or allow administrative corruption
the past decade show that corruption has resulted in to spread, they are rendering investment less attractive,
the waste of vast resources, estimated by the Arab particularly in productive sectors, such as manufacturing,
Anti-Corruption Organization at a value of US$1 trillion which requires vast amounts of capital and needs to be
over 50 years. Moreover, the Arab Anti-Corruption and economically feasible and able to compete on the open
Integrity Network holds that these wasted resources world market.
could have been invested in creating job opportunities
and improving the standard of basic services. Corruption The widespread incidence of corruption coincided with
has also contributed, through deliberate premeditation, to irregularities in the investments of governments. The greed
strengthening an exclusionist economic model that has for profits prompted some officials to divert a portion
harmed the process of development in the region. of state spending into high-cost, low-return projects or
towards mostly secretive and opaque contracts for the
As the transformation into a market economy began purchase of expensive arms and equipment, instead
in the 1980s and 1990s, decision makers were of employing the spending in productive sectors. Even
supposed to empower the private sector to contribute in cases in which noticeable growth in gross domestic
to development. However, corruption and negligence in product (GDP) was achieved, socio-economic studies
combating corruption prevented the growth of the private show that the fruits were only enjoyed by a small elite
sector in a healthy and responsible manner. Corruption that persisted in using its authority to gain the largest
contravened the principle of administrative neutrality, amount of benefits and to distribute them to supporters
rendering the emerging private sector dependent on the to ensure its survival. This widened social disparities,
goodwill of politicians and linking existing scant economic prompting people to rebel. Youth were at the forefront of
opportunities to backdoor relationships rather than to the rebellions: corruption and distorted development had
market principles. This led to the emergence of political- driven them to despair of social mobilization.
Source: Report Team
21
Achieving progress that satisfies youth and allows the the United Nations Convention against Corruption and
Arab region to employ its huge potential to accelerate formulate and implement effective and coordinated
development and to tackle deficiencies requires a national strategies that target clear priorities. Such
high degree of awareness on the part of political, strategies directly influence the competitiveness of the
economic and social elites. It also requires a high private sector, the quality and integrity of basic services
degree of cooperation among the various stakeholders, and the state’s ability to earn revenues so that these
including youth, to strengthen an anti-corruption culture, can be reinvested in development in a transparent and
implement the international standards associated with accountable manner.
Source: Regional Project on Anti-Corruption and Integrity in the Arab Countries, United Nations Development Programme.
Another more serious consequence Then came the events of 2011, which
was that the model promoted political revealed the dangers inherent in the
marginalization, fostered a socio-economic development model and demonstrated
chasm across the population, undermined that the escalating costs of the unfair
the spirit of individual initiative, encouraged distribution of income and the associated
consumerism at the expense of productivity need for repressive security could render
and long-term investment in human the governing regimes vulnerable to popular
capabilities and exacerbated the problem reaction.
of corruption, which slowed development
in all its features (box 4).
3. THE DYNAMICS OF YOUTH
DISEMPOWERMENT IN THE ARAB
REGION
Despite the rise of a new generation of their feeling of effectiveness, motivate

youth during the past few decades that is them to contribute to reform and boost
the largest, the most well educated and the their integration into society. The report
most highly urbanized in the history of the identifies several deep-seated issues in
Arab region, the prospects of young people the region that hinder the empowerment
remain more vulnerable than ever because of young people, tend to undermine them
of exclusion, poverty, economic recession and prevent the full unleashing of their
and the prevalence of corruption. These inherent energy. It summarizes the most
factors are exacerbated in Arab countries important of these factors as follows:
that are experiencing conflict. (1) scant suitable job opportunities, (2) weak
political participation, (3) poor-quality
Young people are coming of age in a context health care and education services,
of widening income disparities, increasing (4) mismanagement of social diversity,
inequality of opportunity, slowing average (5) the prevalence of inherited concepts and
growth and shrinking job opportunities. practices that promote gender inequality
These problems are weakening their and (6) prolonged conflicts that undermine
commitment to preserving government society of development gains.
institutions and their desire to participate
in a political world that does not meet their
needs or their expectations (figure 4). 3.1. Scant suitable job opportunities
Such difficulties are not confined to youth, In addition to weak economic productivity
but youth tend to be more affected, and and competitiveness in most countries
they will have to deal with the problems in the Arab region, the policies and laws
for many decades unless there is a change that regulate the labour market hinder the
in the current situation, which they have growth of jobs in a manner that matches
had no hand in creating and which is demographic growth and the needs of
characterized by the largest number of market. This affects youth in particular and
failed states in the world. 7 prevents the economic empowerment of
youth. The prevalence of nepotism and
The desired change cannot be achieved reliance on social connections play a
without empowering young people, large role in the distribution of the limited
which entails “the expansion in people’s available jobs, prompting young people
ability to make strategic life choices in a who are looking for jobs to depend on
context where this ability was previously social relationships and family ties. Young
denied to them.” 8 This will enhance people in influential families thus possess an
23
Figure 4
Perspectives of youth in the Arab region: Most important challenges
Source: Arab Barometer 2014.

*Population-weighted average for 12 Arab countries
Figure 5
Youth unemployment in the Arab region: One of the greatest challenges
25
advantage over their peers, which violates in the public sector. 10 They usually end
the principles of social justice and sacrifices up accepting unstable jobs in the private
the criterion of merit necessary for the sector that offer low wages and poor
achievement of economic productivity. working conditions. They are driven to this
solution by regulations on the minimum
The report provides an analysis of the main wage and social protection that create
outputs of the labour market relevant to wide gaps in pay and benefits between
youth in the region. It indicates that the jobs in the public sector and jobs in the
average rate of participation of youth in private sector. 11 There seems to be no
the workforce is low, at around 24 percent prospect of improvement in the ability of
and falling to less than 18 percent among governments to create sufficient suitable
young women. This is the lowest regional jobs, particularly because of the decline in
average in the world. Meanwhile, the youth oil prices and the negative effects of the
unemployment rate is the highest in the decline on economic growth throughout
world, reaching almost 30 percent, even the region, not merely in oil-producing
though five years have passed since the countries (figure 6).
widespread protests demanding a dignified
life (figure 5). 9 Providing good job opportunities is thus
one of the biggest challenges in the region,
Many young people with high educational in which high youth unemployment is
qualifications must wait for long periods considered a characteristic feature. 12 This
that may exceed 1.5 years to find jobs stops young people from getting married,
Figure 6
Oil price trends and regional GDP growth intertwined
80 14
12
60
10
40 8
Oil price growth (%)
6
GDP growth (%)
20
4
0
2
-20 0
-2
-40
-4
-60 -6
1976
1977
1978
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Oil price growth GDP growth (annual %)
Sources: BP 2015; World Bank 2015.
finding independent accommodation and associations do not differ in most respects
starting families, inevitably weakening their from international standards. Nonetheless,
ability to become productive members of the level of political participation by youth
society. There is no doubt that the inability is one of the lowest in the world (figure 7). 13
to find suitable jobs was a major fuel of the Likewise, civic engagement among young
instability afflicting the region over the last people in the region is the lowest in the
few years, as well as a fundamental reason world, with a median of only 9 percent of
for the growing phenomenon of immigration youth across Arab countries volunteering
among young people in search of better with a civic organization in a given month,
conditions. During the first decade of the compared with 14 percent in the next
2000s, the region saw one of the highest lowest region, sub-Saharan Africa. 14
average rates of skilled labour immigration
in the world. This helps perpetuate the The report attributes the low political
exclusion of youth and could lead to a participation of youth to the nature of
vicious circle of a shrinking job market and political life in Arab countries, which is
the flight of skilled labour. generally exclusionary. However, it also
reveals that the interest of young people
in political participation is rising. In the
3.2. Weak political participation countries undergoing political transition,
youth show more interest in politics relative
There may be no major legal obstacles that to older age-groups. However, the interest
prevent young people as an age-group rarely translates into active participation
from participating in the political life of the except among more well educated young
countries in the region. For example, most people. Yet, even the latter generally limit
laws on elections and political parties and their participation to demonstrations. 15 The
Box 5
The quality of education in the Arab countries
Despite the progress achieved in boosting enrollment and reading skills and in their limited creative abilities
rates in education and the substantial progress in bridging and limited advanced knowledge skills.a This is cause for
the gender gap, the Arab countries are still uncompetitive concern in view of the requirements of the knowledge
in the quality of education and in education outcomes. society and the knowledge economy because it is evidence
The research literature continues to highlight the weak that the countries of the region are ill prepared to achieve
productivity of education and training systems in the region. knowledge security and contribute effectively to building
This is apparent in the poor performance of students on global knowledge.
international assessments of scientific, mathematical
Source: UNDP and MBRF 2014.

a. The international assessments of scientific, mathematical and reading skills are the Programme for International Student
Assessment, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science
Study. The limited creative abilities and limited advanced knowledge skills of students in the region are shown by the surveys of
the second and third Arab Knowledge Reports.
27
Figure 7
Youth political participation in the Arab region: voices outside the ballot-box
report also points to the lack of confidence exceeded that global average in 2015, but
of young people in the democratic process. the regional average remained the lowest
This limits their participation in elections, in the world, at 18.7 percent. 17
compared with other social groups, thus
deepening their deprivation, a major
challenge to human development in the 3.3. Poor-quality health care and
Arab region. education services
During the events of 2011 and the aftermath, National efforts have succeeded in raising
young people, especially young women, completion rates in basic education,
used the opportunity of the protests to raise particularly in Arab countries with significant
their voices to demand gender equality on revenues. Moreover, widening access has
the grounds that it is an indivisible part of increased the opportunities among young
social justice. Although some Arab countries women to receive an education. However,
have achieved positive results in reducing education coverage shrinks during conflicts
gender inequality in political life, the and in poor societies, particularly in higher
participation of women in decision-making education. In health care, most countries
is still restricted: only a small number of have seen a large improvement; average
women are active in political institutions. life expectancy at birth has generally risen,
Globally, women comprise 22.5 percent of and under-5 mortality rates have typically
members of parliament. 16 Six Arab countries fallen.
Box 6
The effect of war and conflict on young women
The wars and armed conflicts occurring in several Arab especially affects women who are the sole heads of
countries especially threaten young women and girls. households. If young women are able to escape conflict,
Women are more frequent victims of atrocities and trauma, they have not necessarily found safety. They experience
including forced marriage and violence, particularly rape. greater danger than men if they seek refuge because of
Some families marry girls off at a young age, usually a lack of security, including at refugee camps, where
with reluctance, to guarantee the protection of the girls. unaccompanied young women are more subject than
However, wives of a young age are more vulnerable to others to gender-based violence. Ethnic minority women
domestic violence, health problems and obstacles that also face particular dangers.
prevent them from resuming their studies.
The UN Security Council has adopted seven international
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, gender- resolutions on women, peace and security, including
based violence is common in situations of conflict to Resolution1325, which provides an important framework
an alarming extent. Conflict also tends to promote the regarding what needs to be done to help young women
marginalization of women in public life, strengthening before, during and after conflict and war. (See United
patriarchal society and increasing the dependency of Nations Peacekeeping, Women, peace and security:
young women on family members for protection. This http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/issues/women/
threatens the freedom of women in many respects and wps.shtml)
29
Relative to expanding access and coverage, groups into a unified national project.
enhancing the quality of public services is If the state fails to lay the foundations
a bigger challenge. This is so particularly of good governance and representative
in education because of the growing institutions that guarantee participation
disillusionment among young people by all and respect for diversity, minorities
with the value of higher education in the can become vulnerable to discrimination
labour market and the glut of unemployed by the institutions themselves in addition to
graduates (box 5). The low level of the injustice they suffer from other groups
educational outcomes in the region is in the population, seriously undermining
closely linked to difficulties in entering the the concept of citizenship.
job market efficiently, earning a livelihood,
gaining access to credit and succeeding at
entrepreneurship. 3.5. The prevalence of concepts and
practices that hinder gender equality
3.4. Mismanagement of social Although prevalent religious and political

diversity conventions in the Arab region include
guarantees of gender equality, the region
Polarization over issues of identity is still generally considered backward
is diverting attention away from the relative to any other place in the world.
economic, political and social challenges This is because the culture, the society
that the Arab region faces. Moreover, the and the laws do not entirely embrace
problem is generally poorly framed. It does the concept of equality, although some
not revolve around the issue of religious, countries have undertaken efforts to
ethnic, or cultural identity. Rather, the change the gender environment and
problem resides in the socio-political have achieved some progress in the
management of diversity through laws empowerment of women.
and institutions and especially through the
implementation of legal texts. The failure to Women suffer from gender inequality in
guarantee equality among all citizens has most Arab countries, and they pay a double
rendered several groups of citizens and price in disempowerment if they are also
inhabitants of Arab countries vulnerable young. Before marriage, social expectations
to discrimination. determine the choices available to women
to a large extent, particularly the choices
Arab Human Development Report 2009 that pertain to the economic conditions
demonstrates that the dominant focus and resources to which they may gain
in the region is the traditional concept access. Rights of marriage and divorce
of security, which is restricted to the are unequal among men and women,
security of the state and is less concerned and women remain considerably more
with the security of the people and of vulnerable to domestic and institutional
society. This has delayed the region’s violence. Insufficient government efforts
embrace of diversity and limited the to provide effective protection for women
integration of various demographic against violence, rape and murder within
the context of the so called honor crimes higher rates of gender-based violence than
places an additional and significant burden others in such situations (box 6).
on young women seeking to establish their
lives as independent adults.
3.6. Prolonged conflicts that
The expanding opportunities available undermine the gains of development
to women to acquire suitable education
over the past few decades have not been War and conflict are destroying the social
accompanied by equally significant change fabric in the Arab region, resulting in great
in the labour market. When young women loss of life not only among the combatants,
complete their education, they find that they but also and increasingly among civilians,
are forced to exert more effort than young including children. The largest number of
men to find satisfactory and suitably paid deaths occur away from the battlefields. For
employment. Likewise, discrimination in the every person directly killed through armed
workplace against women by employers violence, between three and fifteen others
is common. are indirectly killed by medical complications,
malnutrition and treatable diseases. 18
The growing influence of intolerant social
and political forces that espouse ideologies Moreover, unlike economic development,
informed by gender discrimination and their war and conflict destroy productive
tendency to build alliances with one another resources, capital and labour. Thus,
will inevitably set back the empowerment of more than 13 million children, equivalent
young women. These forces may succeed to around 40 percent of all school-age
in neutralizing and even reversing the small children in the region, are being deprived
gains achieved in gender relations over the of a school education because of conflict. 19
past few decades. The same applies to Current estimates indicate that the number
the conflicts currently occurring in several of inhabitants living in countries vulnerable
parts of the Arab region, which constitute a to conflict in the Arab region is expected
new constraint on the independence, self- to rise from around 250 million in 2010 to
sufficiency and development of women, over 350 million in 2020. That number is
particularly young women, who suffer expected to double by 2050 (figure 8).
31
Figure 8
The costs of conflict in the Arab region
Source: Report team calculations based on START 2015, SIPRI 2015, UCDP/PRIO 2015, UCDP 2015, UN DESA 2013,
UNRWA 2015, and UNHCR 2015.
33
4. RELIGION, IDENTITY AND
VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Human Development Report 2004: Cultural among groups that seek to block change
Liberty in Today’s Diverse World stresses and renewal. It exerts an influential pull not
the “profound importance of religion to only on the religiously committed, but also
people’s identities”. 20 This is especially true on social groups that object to the current
of the Arab region, the cradle of the three state of affairs, including youth. Moreover,
major monotheistic religions, where religion as the role of the state diminishes or
is an indivisible part of political history, collapses in some countries, more people
particularly Islam, which Arab Human have come to depend heavily for protection
Development Report 2005 considers “a and services on networks managed by
crucial element in the cultural and spiritual religious groups, thus becoming more
make-up of the Arab people.” 21 vulnerable to ideologies that, by virtue
of their intellectual structure, may erect
Religion in the region is the basic source barriers among people, encouraging
of values, contributing to the formation intolerance and patterns of exclusion at
of society’s features and playing a major all levels. This directly or indirectly weakens
role in the lives of people, particularly social cohesion, creating an opportunity
youth (table 1). Religion is the pivot of the to put religion at the service of politics,
multifaceted identity of the overwhelming particularly in the absence of legal or social
majority of youth. It helps shape their guarantees for pluralism and freedom of
intellectual habits, ethical principles and opinion and belief.
attitudes towards others. However, the role
of religion in political life and its influence on Over the past three decades, several
shaping the system of governance remains groups have emerged that have adopted
a controversial problem both in the region sharply exclusionist positions against
and the world. It is therefore necessary to whomever they consider as the other, by
highlight the role of religion in its various which they mean anyone who disagrees
contexts and in the light of the particular with them, basing their positions on
conditions in Arab countries. extremist religious interpretations and
drawing large numbers of young people into
Religion is a strong factor in fuelling the their ranks. This phenomenon has become
current political conflicts in the Arab more extensive since 2011 because of the
countries. To varying degrees that range opportunity created by the power vacuum
from moderation to extremism, religious in certain countries, allowing these groups
arguments are frequently used to garner to proliferate and become more extremist,
support, gain advantages and attack heavily armed and violent. By 2014,
adversaries. Religion is a reference point organized groups had emerged that do
Table 1
Religion is an important part of your daily life (% of respondents saying yes)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Algeria ... ... ... ... 94 93 92 ... ... ...
Bahrain ... ... ... 96 96 94 ... ... ... ...
Comoros ... ... ... 96 99 99 97 ... ... ...
Djibouti ... ... 98 98 97 91 ... ... ... ...
Egypt 98 98 100 98 97 98 98 97 98 ...
Iraq ... ... 81 86 85 79 84 87 90 ...
Jordan 92 96 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Kuwait 84 ... ... 93 97 ... ... ... ... ...
Lebanon 88 88 86 89 87 84 85 80 84 ...
Mauritania ... 95 97 98 99 99 99 98 92 99
Morocco ... ... ... ... 93 94 99 96 ... ...
Palestine 88 90 89 93 95 94 95 93 98 ...
Qatar ... ... 92 95 ... 98 ... ... ... ...
Saudi Arabia 98 98 96 94 ... ... ... ... ... ...
Somalia ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 95 ...
Sudan ... ... ... 95 97 92 95 ... ... ...
Syria ... ... 84 88 83 78 82 75 ... ...
Tunisia ... ... ... 95 93 93 96 89 88 91
UAE 98 ... ... 91 95 ... ... ... ... ...
Yemen 96 ... ... 96 96 98 98 100 99 ...
Source: Gallup 2015.

Note: … = not available.
not recognize borders and use the ugliest prominence and a social role is not difficult
forms of violence, while exploiting religious to understand. Disgruntled individuals are
texts and the weakness of governments less prone to resorting to peaceful, patient
to promote an extremist political agenda social action to change their environment.
that seeks through the media, including They may prefer more direct, more violent
Internet-based social media, to address means, especially if they are convinced that
marginalized groups already in protest existing mechanisms for participation and
against the current situation, especially accountability are useless.
young people.
Young people who join such movements
The ability of such groups to attract young and support them come from different
people by providing them with material social and economic strata, but most of
incentives, feelings of empowerment, media them have presumably experienced the
35
Box 7
The views of youth in the Arab region on violent extremism
Surveys in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia views.b The situation is similar in Tunisia, where studies
show that the majority of young people support the by the National Youth Observatory confirm that a majority
separation of religion and politics to varying degrees, of youth reject violence.c A field study conducted by the
regard the Islamic State as a murderous terrorist group Doha Institute shows that youth in Arab countries clearly
and believe that unemployment, a lack of awareness and distinguish between religion as a system of values and
financial incentives may prompt some young people to join religion as an ideology that encourages confrontation with
extremist groups. In Jordan, a survey among over 25,000
a
the other. It also shows that the vast majority of young
university students showed that 94 percent do not consider people reject the violence that is perpetrated in the name
that extremist groups and organizations represent their of religion and consider extremist groups as terrorist.d
Source: Report Team

a. Konrad Adenauer Stiftung; Sigma Conseil and the Arab Observatory of Religions and Freedoms 2016.
b. JCSS 2016.
c. National Youth Observatory, Tunisia 2015.
d. Doha Institute 2015.
failure of the development model in the exploitation of religion. The alternative,

region and espouse violence in the belief excluding youth, may promote more violent
that they lack better options or perhaps in extremism.
response to hardships or injustices they
or those close to them have suffered, The pathways along which those who are
such as poverty, exclusion, or repression, resentful reach extremism and support
or even out of a desire to belong to a for organized violence are numerous. This
group that responds to their needs and means there is an urgent need for research
ambitions. on the reasons for this resentment to help
avert violent extremism, which hugely
Indicators confirm that the overwhelming damages society and, it is feared, may
majority of young people in the Arab region escalate, given the absence of space for
do not tend to adopt extremist or violent peaceful change in the region. Because of
views or to participate in extremist groups the diminishing economic opportunities, the
or activities (box 7). However, this should lack of genuine political competition, the
not lead us to complacency, because young weakness of parliaments and representative
people remain vulnerable to victimization councils, defective regulatory and judicial
by groups that misuse religion to benefit bodies and the shortage of sufficient space
from its pivotal role in shaping identities. for monitoring by free and responsible
This calls for development approaches media and an independent, transparent
that involve youth in the formulation and civil society, appeals to violent extremism
implementation of initiatives because such could become more widespread and more
participation has been shown to be an effective at attracting youth and other
effective deterrent force against the political sectors of society.
5. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT GAINS
IN THE ARAB REGION UNDER FIRE
Relative to other regions of the world, the region is now home to 47 percent of all
Arab region has witnessed an escalation internally displaced persons globally and
in war and armed conflict during the past 58 percent of the refugees in the world.
decade, but especially in the last five years.
The number of Arab countries affected These tragic events should in no way
by conflict increased from five in 2002 to obscure the ongoing suffering and
eleven in 2016 (box 8). These conflicts deprivation of the Palestinians. The cause
have caused many deaths and permanent of the Palestinians remains the largest and
injuries and boosted the displacement of most serious existential threat in the region
populations within and across countries as long as the Israeli occupation persists
within the region and farther afield. They and as long as the Arab Peace Initiative
have also caused massive damage to of 2002 and other international efforts to
basic infrastructure and interrupted an resolve the crisis stagnate.
already deficient development process.
The horrific losses caused by the escalating Israel’s occupation of Palestine is the
destruction, violence, and the collapse longest occupation in the modern era and
of social systems have affected all age- the longest period during which a people
groups, including young people, who are has been deprived of the right to self-
trying to gain an education, find jobs and determination. Nonetheless, the Palestinian
start families and who are seeking security people have been able to establish and
and a better future. maintain a sense of national identity despite
all the difficulties that continue to rob them
War, armed conflict and the destruction of the freedom to live in dignity. Several
they cause result in waves of forced decades of occupation have created a
collective migration. Since 2011, massive deep collective sense of insecurity, a lack of
demographic transformations have been opportunity and political frustration that do
occurring in the Arab region, and the high not merely affect the Palestinians, but the
number of people fleeing has led to a rest of the peoples of the region, where the
profound collapse in human development Palestinian issue remains central. According
outcomes. The Syrian crisis has so far to the 2015 Arab opinion index of the Arab
produced the largest wave of population Centre for Research and Policy Studies,
displacements in the region since the 75 percent of respondents believe that the
displacement of Palestinians in 1948. Palestinian cause is not only a Palestinian
This continues a pattern of demographic issue, but an Arab one as well, and 85
transformation that has been affecting the percent oppose diplomatic recognition of
regions since the mid-20th Century. The Israel by their countries.
37
Box 8
The effects of war and armed conflict on Arab countries
Quantifying the effect of war and armed conflict on the Arab around 22.2 million people—82 percent of the population
countries is difficult. It includes the number of casualties of Yemen—are in need of humanitarian aid.d The number
and missing persons, the deterioration in living standards, of refugees and internally displaced persons has reached
the destruction of possessions and infrastructure and the 2.7 million, equivalent to over 10 percent of the population.
amount of human suffering in all its forms. However, there Two million persons have escaped to Somalia, which is
is no doubt that the price has been high and that it is being itself suffering from an internal displacement crisis affecting
paid by people, particularly the poor. a 10th of the population.
In Syria, one of the ugliest conflicts in the modern history The suffering resulting from forced eviction and flight
of the region continues. It has caused the deaths of over primarily affects refugees and displaced persons, but
250,000 people to date and over 1 million injured. It has also affects the host countries and regions. One person
led 4.8 million people to become refugees and another in every five in Lebanon is a refugee, and one person in
7.6 million people to become internally displaced. This is a every three in Syria is a refugee or displaced person. This
total of 12.4 million people, more than half the population creates a heavy economic and social burden that risks
of Syria.a
creating new crises unless it is managed carefully.
In Libya, fierce fighting continues in several areas, The sharp decline in the human development index in Libya
disrupting efforts to reach a settlement and claiming over 1 and Syria highlights the high cost of war and armed conflict
million dead and wounded. In Iraq, killing and destruction
b
from another perspective. The index has registered a
continue, inflicting a heavy material toll. The number of speedy collapse to the lowest levels seen in both countries
Iraqi refugees, both internal and external, exceeds 5 million, in 15 years.e The same applies to the cost of terrorism
while the number of people requiring humanitarian aid has in Iraq, estimated at $159 billion (in purchasing power
reached 10 million. In Yemen, the escalation of hostilities
c
parity US dollars) since 2005, representing 32 percent of
has taken the country to the brink of total collapse and the country’s GDP in 2014. In Syria, war reduced GDP
created one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. by 31 percent in 2012 and by around 38 percent by the
United Nations estimates at the end of 2015 indicated that end of 2013.
Source: Report Team

a. UNOCHA 2016a.
b. UN News Centre 2015a.
c. UN News Centre 2015b.
d. UNOCHA 2016b.
e. UNDP 2015.
In such a tense regional climate, some them are anxious because of complex
Arab countries are boosting their military political conflicts with neighbours. Among
spending to confront direct security threats. the countries in the region are the most
They are also still influenced by the legacy important military spenders in the world.
of cold war competition, and some of The Arab region, which is inhabited by
5 percent of the world’s population and Because of the way in which military
witnessed around 18 percent of all global spending is managed, it is more vulnerable
conflicts between 1948 and 2014, has than other forms of spending to corruption,
become the arena of 25 percent of global waste and, hence, to squandering society’s
conflicts since 2010 (figure 8). 22 This has resources that could have been invested
been accompanied by a rise in military in development. This is confirmed by
spending since 2009 of around 21 percent.23 Transparency International’s government
The Arab region’s military spending defence anti-corruption index. 25 Thus,
between 1988 and 2014 amounted to despite its importance, there is no doubt
around $2 trillion, representing a per capita that substantial military spending has a
increase by a factor of 2.5 over the 25-year negative effect on investment in education,
period. 24 health care, infrastructure and the
productive sectors and that this aggravates
any threat to security.
39
6. TOWARDS A NEW
DEVELOPMENT MODEL FIT FOR
YOUTH IN THE ARAB REGION
This report concludes that young men particularly in education and health care;
and women in the Arab region struggle to and provides them with opportunities
achieve full economic, political and social to fulfill themselves, particularly in the
integration in their societies, and are less economic and social spheres (figure 9).
satisfied with the prevailing situation in their
countries than youth in other parts of the This will allow the Arab countries to derive
world. They are also less able than youth greater benefits from the demographic
in other parts of the world to exercise any transformation they are undergoing. The
influence over their future. They are fully call to empower youth is thus not merely a
aware that the choices available to them demand to improve the situation of youth
are limited and often futile, and they reject today. It is also a call to rebuild societies
these false choices. They feel insufficiently in the region in a manner that guarantees
empowered to shoulder the responsibility a better future for all. Such a call cannot
to develop these choices. be answered without changing prevailing
attitudes about youth and identifying
The exclusion of youth is common appropriate ways to empower youth as
throughout the Arab region. This is reliable partners in the reconstruction
apparent in several areas. The exclusion process.
is particularly acute among young women,
youth in countries experiencing conflict and The regional consultations and the results
young people who are internally displaced of the surveys that have been associated
or refugees in other countries after escaping with the preparation of the report affirm
violence and the lack of security. Youth the need to pay close attention to three
empowerment is almost an existential issue major strategic dimensions in considering
in the region because youth inclusiveness the formulation of the development model
is necessary to allow young people to recommended by this report, as follows:
manage their own struggle for survival. It
is necessary because youth must map out First, undertake to enhance the basic
the future for coming generations. capabilities of young people to allow
them to realize their full potential. Focus
Based on this conviction, the report on the quality of the education and health
proposes the formulation of a new care services necessary to achieve this, in
development model that is suitable for addition to other services, such as housing
young people; tackles the challenges and support for the unemployed, which
they face; helps empower them by contribute to ensuring a dignified life within
strengthening their basic capabilities, society and a decent standard of living.
Figure 9
Suggested features of a new devel opment model focused on youth
Responsive sectoral policies Youth policies to prioritize,

Sound holistic policies
coordinate and follow up
Enabling environment of peace and security
Enhancing capabilities Expanded opportunities
Decent standard Justice and equality

of living Legal environment and policies to
Solid preparation to earn a living promote gender equality and
and Provision of housing reduce all forms of discrimination
services and social security (religion, ethnicity, gender, etc)
Accountability,
Knowledge and skills YOUTH freedom of expression
and participation
Good, fair education EMPOWERMENT Accountable and transparent
inclusive of all institutions that respect the
fundamental human rights and
encourage participation
Competitive and
Healthy quality of life all-inclusive economy
Quality health services covering Productive, diverse and sustainable
health promotion, prevention and economy that provides decent work
treatment opportunities, encourages innovation
and supports entrepreneurship
Source: Report Team
Second, undertake to widen the opportunities security and to strengthen the role of youth
available to young people for self-fulfillment to guarantee the feasibility and sustainability
by providing suitable job opportunities, of the first two strategic objectives. Without
respecting their political and social rights peace and stability, it is not possible to
and freedoms, enabling them to participate enhance the capabilities of youth, widen
actively in government and public institutions their opportunities or effectively guarantee
and holding these accountable, and tackling the sustainability and cumulative effects
all forms of discrimination based on identity of such efforts so that young people
or gender. will no longer face the risk of repeated,
Third, undertake to achieve peace and fundamental setbacks.
41
Box 9
Link between economic integration and human development in the Arab region
A widening of Arab economic integration beyond the a larger Arab free trade zone.
establishment of free trade and the creation of a customs The United Nations Economic Commission presents a
union would have a positive impact on GDP growth, scenario for the gradual reduction in the transport costs of
inter-Arab trade, productive capacity and the levels trade in the Arab region and for the eventual substitution
of unemployment and poverty, according to a report of a large share of the workforce coming from outside
published by the United Nations Economic and Social the Arab region with an indigenous workforce. Adding
Commission for Western Asia. these two steps to a new customs union would boost
In 2014, inter-Arab exports accounted for 9.9 percent of GDP growth by an additional 3.1 percent in 2021. It would
overall Arab exports, and inter-Arab imports accounted for also reduce unemployment by over 4 percent through the
13.7 percent. A 5 percent annual reduction in transport
a
creation of 6 million new jobs, thus contributing to greater
costs in 2013–2020 would boost inter-Arab trade by around prosperity in all Arab countries. The resulting cumulative
23 percent by the end of the period. Such a boost would growth would be equivalent to $760 billion in additional
increase GDP across the region by 0.5 percent, which revenues, which would exceed the collective production
would exceed the possible negative effects of establishing of North African Arab countries in 2013.
Source: UN-ESCWA 2014.

a. AMF 2015.
6.1. Enhancement of capabilities so participation and supporting gender

that youth may realize their potential equality. Hence, education should be at
the heart of the policy issues with which
Good-quality basic services, particularly in governments in Arab countries rather
education and health care, are necessary than merely one or two ministries—are
for strengthening the ability of adults to concerned. This is also true of Arab
contribute positively to the economy and societies, including civil society and the
participate actively in society. Investment in business community, especially at the
these two areas at an early stage of human local level. Cooperation has a role to play in
life thus has a decisive influence on human education, particularly among institutions of
development. higher learning. 26 The widening knowledge
gap cannot be filled without acting speedily,
One of the most important elements in redoubling efforts and mobilizing the
the formula for the enhancement of youth material and human resources needed to
capabilities is education, which is closely improve the quality of education in line with
linked to a large group of development the principles of fairness and social justice.
outputs. Education maximises the
opportunities for entering the job market, This includes marshalling new technologies
earning a higher income, achieving a to create learning opportunities that
more comprehensive level of political challenge the conventional role of schools
participation, supporting women´s and universities, enriching Arabic content on
the Internet and making this content more recognize the right of youth to express their
accessible to sectors of the population that opinions as part of the decision-making
have hitherto been deprived. process and to participate fully in political
processes, including holding decision
The enhancement of young people’s makers accountable.
capabilities in Arab countries also requires
comprehensive initiatives to tackle the Public policies should be adopted that
social and structural limitations in health encourage comprehensive and productive
care. This is key to good long-term health economic growth based on providing job
outcomes. The initiatives ought also to opportunities. The focus ought to be on
cover the mental health of youth, especially economic sectors that most benefit the
in societies characterized by acute conflict, poor. Together with the private sector,
which is associated with stress and trauma. governments should invest in infrastructure
The mental health of young people is not and provide relevant jobs for young
now receiving sufficient attention. people who are involved in public service
programmes or work-intensive, time-limited
Strengthening the health of youth will public works programmes during periods of
improve human development outcomes, economic and political crisis. Another top
encourage economic growth and priority is to facilitate the transition of youth
productivity and help reduce the costs of from school to work by offering guidance
health care systems. However, ensuring and job counselling.
equitable and excellent health care for
youth by means of comprehensive health Some universities in the region have
care coverage and suitable health care initiated such services. Relevant strategies
services is only half the battle. 27 Awareness might be linked to aptitude tests to help
on the part of young people and their young people identify career choices that
effective participation in preserving their are appropriate to their skills and interests.
own health is the other half. Adequate information to help young people
choose suitable careers should be made
accessible, particularly in sectors that
6.2. Expanding opportunities for the are expected to expand and create job
self-fulfillment of youth opportunities.
The availability of a wide range of political Excluding youth from political participation
and economic choices among young endangers society and threatens
people is one of the most important confidence building in the relationship
features of adequate human development between governments and citizens.
in any society (box 9). Moreover, it is Early political participation contributes
indispensable to guaranteeing the rights positively to improving societies and the
of youth and achieving social stability. lives of individuals. Enhancing political
It requires that governments provide a participation in the Arab region will
suitable climate that helps create jobs fit encourage young people to become
for young people. Governments should also actively involved in society and positively
43
Box 10
Marrakesh Declaration on the Rights of Religious Minorities in Predominantly Muslim Majority Communities
The Marrakesh Declaration is a praiseworthy effort that Report 2009 to base the concept of citizenship on equality
stresses the importance of equal citizenship rights and of and inclusiveness, because “human beings are born into
combating discrimination and the resort to violence and different circumstances, with varied access to options to
arms to settle disputes and impose opinions and choices. expand their capabilities, but all are entitled to the same
It calls on “Muslim scholars and intellectuals around basic rights. The right of citizenship should be identical for
the world to develop a jurisprudence of the concept of all persons living in a given country, regardless of ethnic
‘citizenship’ which is inclusive of diverse groups.” This origin, religious belief, gender, health, culture, wealth or
reiterates the calls made by Arab Human Development any other personal attribute.”a
Source: http://www.marrakeshdeclaration.org/.
a. UNDP 2009, p. 194.
contribute to shaping the decisions that individuals capable of understanding and

affect them. This will also strengthen their expressing themselves. 29
sense of belonging, which is a highly
important element in the establishment Efforts to empower youth politically and
of cohesive societies. economically should not bypass two types
of social discrimination: discrimination on
Rather than disrupting the new channels the basis of identity and discrimination
that young people use to build awareness on the basis of gender. Tackling gender
and express opinions, these channels inequality and empowering women in
must be reinforced and exploited to listen the Arab region continue to be a central
to the voices of youth. During the 1990s, objective, because “human development, if
the region was deprived of information in not engendered, is endangered”, according
a climate in which the state dominated the to Human Development Report 1995. 30
media. However, since the middle of the
first decade of the 2000s, regional television Sufficient attention must be devoted to
stations and broadcast channels have establishing inclusive societies based on
proliferated, along with websites and blogs, the full rights and responsibilities of equal
and the use of social media has soared.26 citizenship, including multiple ethnicities
and cultures, so that the complexities of
This wider horizon for communication minority rights can be recognized and
has allowed young people to form their accounted for (box 10). 31 Given the current
opinions and express their views in relative situation in the Arab region, the success
freedom, thereby giving them the ability to of any programmes or public policies to
oppose the established political authorities empower youth must involve strengthening
and transform themselves from socially the concept of inclusive citizenship for all.
marginalized individuals with no influence Such an objective is difficult to attain even
on public opinion into active, effective in mature democracies.
6.3. Enhancing the role of youth in achievement of security provides a strong
achieving peace and security basis for such an effort.
The existence of peace and security would Local school curricula on peace could be
provide a climate conducive to righting the developed with the aim of promoting the
process of Arab human development after values of peaceful coexistence, tolerance
the events of 2011 exposed the failures. and acceptance of the other. This would
help young people protect themselves from
However, the outcomes and ramifications the plots of violent extremist groups that
of those events also damaged a large misuse religion to justify exclusivist and
share of the development gains that had destructive behaviour.
been achieved previously. Realizing peace
and security is contingent on resolving In countries that are experiencing growing
recent and long-standing conflicts across social polarization over issues relating to
the region, foremost of which is the class discrimination, young people who are
Palestinian problem. 32 Effort should be active locally could help build a consensus
invested in developing effective regional and increase the spirit of solidarity within
mechanisms to tackle conflict and support communities. Integrating young people into
peace. Regional cooperation is the only local political processes is key to limiting
practical means for establishing peace violent extremism.
and security based on the will of the
people and without resorting to external Although the report warns that ignoring
intervention. Regional cooperation is the voices and capabilities of youth will
the most appropriate framework for lead to yet more instability and intensify
governments to work collectively to the risks of social fragmentation and the
improve the quality of the lives of citizens. disintegration of the state, it also affirms
This will also involve tackling the causes that youth are not part of the problem, but
(rather than the symptoms) of conflict by are, rather, a key to the solution. Indeed,
means of new instruments for enhancing youth may be the only key because young
the prospects of peaceful change based people own the future and can put forward
on a discourse in which the culture of fresh thinking, of which the region is so
dialogue and the concept of citizenship badly in need.
are central.
Given the current state of uncertainty
Young people can be highly important throughout the region, it is easy to lose
and active elements in the achievement of sight of the long-term perspective. As
peace and security if vigorous, methodical one crisis follows another, the attention of
and realistic youth participation is decision makers usually shifts to emergency
supported. This is a demographic and issues at the expense of strategic issues.
a political imperative. United Nations It is therefore necessary to engage in a
Security Council Resolution 2250 of 2015 revaluation of the initial conditions and
on the participation of youth in the process examine them comprehensively, searching
of peaceful conflict resolution and the for basic causes of the escalation of
45
Figure 10
Perspectives of youth in the Arab region: My WORLD: priorities of the Arab States
Source: UN 2014.
problems that an increasing number of countries. The responsibility must be
Arab countries are facing. shouldered by planning ministries and
interministerial committees led from the
To this end, the report proposes a new highest levels of the political pyramid.
development model with three strategic
dimensions (figure 9). The model will allow The world agreed on the 2030 Agenda for
decision makers to invest in youth and Sustainable Development as a roadmap for
benefit from youth to achieve a huge leap the future. It calls for including all sectors
in regional development. of society, including youth, in all efforts
to implement the roadmap. It affirms that
The traditional method of dealing with “Children and young women and men are
youth from a narrow perspective that critical agents of change and will find in
considers youth as a developmental the new Goals a platform to channel their
burden must be abandoned. National infinite capacities for activism into the
youth policies and strategies that deal with creation of a better world.” 33
youth as a problem that must be solved—
the path usually followed in several Arab This report proposes that the efforts of
countries—should be set aside. They the Arab countries to achieve the goals
overlook the fact that most problems of sustainable development to which they
among youth reflect failures in society and have committed should be part of a wider
the existing development model rather framework for the empowerment of youth.
than failures among youth. The framework should be integrated into the
development process in a visible manner
The recommendations put forward in in each country. Tackling the priorities that
this report might be integrated into the were identified by the young people from
core of overall national and sectoral 19 Arab countries who participated in the
policies. They ought not to be treated as consultations held during the preparation
isolated interventions. Youth must also be of this report could provide a starting
involved in developing the policies through point (figure 8). These priorities have been
focused consultative processes among confirmed in several other regional and
all stakeholders. The responsibility for global surveys that have brought together
implementing and monitoring the policies the opinions and ideas of youth, such as the
should not be assigned to one party, such World We Want Survey that was conducted
as a ministry of youth or a higher council to determine the post-2015 development
for youth, as is the case in several Arab agenda (figure 10).
47
Endnotes
1 Moller 1968.
2 UNDP 2015.
3 World’s six regions by UNDP grouping: Arab States, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and
Central Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
4 UNDP 2013a.
5 Malik 2011.
6 Malik and Awadallah 2011.
7 See: /http://fsi.fundforpeace.org.
8 Kabeer 1999.
9 ILO 2014, World Bank 2015.
10 ILO 2014.
11 Robalino and others 2013.
12 World Bank 2013.
13 For example, the rate of voting among all age-groups in all the Arab countries, according to
the World Values Survey is lower than the global average.
14 Silatech-Gallup 2013.
15 Desai and others 2014.
16 IPU 2014.
17 World Bank 2015.
18 Save the children 2014.
19 UNICEF 2015.
20 UNDP 2004, p.8 .
21 UNDP 2005.
22 UCDP/PRIO 2014.
23 SIPRI 2015.
24 SIPRI 2015.
25 See: https://government.defenceindex.org/#close.
26 UNDP 2002.
27 Halfon and others 2014.
28 Bennett 2012; Arvizu 2009.
29 Issam Fares Institute 2011; Norris 2012; UNDP 1995, p. 1.
30 UNDP 2002.
31 UNDP 2009.
32 The Security Council adopted several resolutions on Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Arab
territories (RES 242,343) and on illegal construction of settlements in the occupied Arab lands
(RES 446,452,465).
33 UN General Assembly 2015.
Background Papers
In English In Arabic
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of Youth Preferences and Values in the World .2010 ‫منذ العام‬
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Daoud, Y. 2014. The State of the Palestinian

Economy under Occupation: Repercussions for
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Dewachi, O. 2014. Iraq: Reflections on Decades

of Violence and Precarious Living.
Marler, I. and Z. Ali. 2014. Young Women

in Arab Countries Today: Facing Challenges,
Mobilising for Change.
Marouani, M.A. 2014. Regional Integration,

Mobility, and Trade in the Arab Region.
Mehchy, Z. 2014. Socio-Economic Impact of

Syrian Crisis.
Mhaissen, R. 2014. Grassroots Youth Activism

in the Arab Region.
Moaddel, M., and J. DeJong. 2014. Cross-

National Variation and Trend in Values among
the Youth in Selected Arab Countries.
Salehi-Isfahani, Djavad. 2014. Education

Inequities in the Arab Region.
Zaatari, Z. 2014. Changing Dynamics and the

Arab Family: Youth Challenging Patriarchy.
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‫‪54‬‬ ‫‪Arab Human Development Report 2016 Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a Changing Reality‬‬
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1

Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a

Published for the

In 2030, the Arab States will look back

Advisory Board Khansa Alhajj, Khaoula Mghar, Khouloud

Ragui Assaad, Ibrahim Awad, Sultan Cover

Arabic text: Ghassan Ghosn UNDP/Regional Bureau for Arab States

Editing Sima Bahous (Regional Director, 2012 –2016),

The Arab Human Development Report region—from the perspective of human

Source: Report Team

Youth in the Arab region: A demographic dividend to be harnessed

Rapid population growth 2050 604 million

2010 350 million

1970 124 million

Source: UN DESA 2013.

Investing in the energy of the youth 27.9%

population now is vital 25.9%

Share of youth (15–29 years) as a % of population

Source: Report Team calculations based on UN DESA 2013.

Rising number of youth in urban areas

2015 (57%) 2050 (75%)

JORDAN 82% Kuwait ≈ 98%

EGYPT 42% TUNISIA 67%

Source: Report team.

Demographic trends in the Arab region

Source: Report Team

National youth policies and strategies in the Arab region

Source: Report Team

Public protests in North Africa 1996–2011

Average annual growth, human development index, 1980–2013

1980–1990 1990–2000 2000–2013

Source: UNDP 2014.

Corruption: an invisible nail in the coffin of development in the Arab region

Source: Report Team

Despite the rise of a new generation of their feeling of effectiveness, motivate

Perspectives of youth in the Arab region: Most important challenges

Source: Arab Barometer 2014.

Youth unemployment in the Arab region: One of the greatest challenges

Oil price trends and regional GDP growth intertwined

Oil price growth GDP growth (annual %)

Sources: BP 2015; World Bank 2015.

The quality of education in the Arab countries

Source: UNDP and MBRF 2014.

The effect of war and conflict on young women

3.4. Mismanagement of social Although prevalent religious and political

The costs of conflict in the Arab region

Religion is an important part of your daily life (% of respondents saying yes)

Algeria ... ... ... ... 94 93 92 ... ... ...

Bahrain ... ... ... 96 96 94 ... ... ... ...

Comoros ... ... ... 96 99 99 97 ... ... ...

Djibouti ... ... 98 98 97 91 ... ... ... ...

Egypt 98 98 100 98 97 98 98 97 98 ...

Iraq ... ... 81 86 85 79 84 87 90 ...

Jordan 92 96 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Kuwait 84 ... ... 93 97 ... ... ... ... ...

Morocco ... ... ... ... 93 94 99 96 ... ...

Qatar ... ... 92 95 ... 98 ... ... ... ...

Saudi Arabia 98 98 96 94 ... ... ... ... ... ...

Sudan ... ... ... 95 97 92 95 ... ... ...

Syria ... ... 84 88 83 78 82 75 ... ...

Tunisia ... ... ... 95 93 93 96 89 88 91

UAE 98 ... ... 91 95 ... ... ... ... ...