Publications

Today, the MENA region is plagued by the highest youth unemployment rate in the world at approximately 30 per cent, twice that of the global average. In addition, for young people that are able to find work, they tend to be concentrated in low quality jobs and face large labour market inequalities. Youth are also faced with difficult and lengthy school-to-work transitions, partly due to the education system increasing failing to prepare young people for the labour market, and weak career guidance job facilitation services in the region. This background paper aims to examine the youth unemployment challenge in the MENA region by assessing the primary drivers that have prevented youth from successfully transitioning into the labour market, and providing key recommendations to increase their employment.