
The economic environment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterised by a long-lasting stagnation in job creation. Over the period 2016-2019, employment growth was about 1.4%, well below the performance of lower-middle- and upper-middle-income countries.
One crucial determinant of employment growth is finance, with recent evidence documenting the positive effect of access to credit on employment and investment. Yet, an obstacle to the virtuous role of the financial system in the region is the disconnectedness of private firms from the banking sector.
Algeria
Bahrain
Egypt
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Morocco
Oman
Palestine *
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Yemen