Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Labour Markets in the Arab World

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics

  • 35 Accesses

Abstract

This article reviews the various arguments that have been advanced to explain the defining features of Arab labour markets, which can be summarised as: high youth unemployment, especially among young women and educated youth; oversized public sectors and small and anaemic formal private sectors; rapidly growing but highly distorted and low-quality educational attainment; and low (and stagnant) female labour force participation. While acknowledging the validity of most of these arguments, I argue that these defining features are attributable in large part to the specific nature of the region’s political economy, and, in particular, to the legacy of the so-called ‘authoritarian bargain’ social contracts that have characterised state–society relations in the post-colonial era.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 6,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 8,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Amin, M., R. Assaad, N. Al-Baharna, K. Dervis, R. Desai, N. Dhillon, A. Galal, H. Ghanem, C. Graham, D. Kaufmann, H. Kharas, J. Page, D. Salehi-Isfahani, K. Sierra, and T. Yousef. 2012. After the spring: Economic transitions in the Arab world. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Agénor, P.-R., M. Nabli, T. Yousef, and H.T. Jensen. 2007. Labor market reforms, growth, and unemployment in labor-exporting countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Journal of Policy Modeling 29: 277–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, O., and Elbadawi, I. 2012. The political economy of public sector employment in resource dependent countries. ERF Working Paper No. 673, Economic Research Forum, Cairo, Egypt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Angel-Urdinola, D., and Kuddo, A. 2010. Key characteristics of employment regulation in the Middle East and North Africa. Social Protection and Labor Discussion Paper No. 1006, World Bank, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R. 2006. Why did economic liberalization lead to feminization of the labor force in Morocco and de-feminization in Egypt? In Gender impacts of trade liberalization in the MENA region, 12–22. Tunis: Center of Arab Women Training and Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R. 2014. Making sense of Arab labor markets: The enduring legacy of dualism. IZA Journal of Labor and Development 3(6): 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R., and Levison, D. 2013. Employment for youth – a growing challenge for the global economy. Background Research Paper Submitted to High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R., and F. El-Hamidi. 2009. Women in the Egyptian labor market: An analysis of developments, 1988–2006. In The Egyptian labor market revisited, ed. R. Assaad, 219–257. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R., and Hendy, R. 2013. On the two-way relationship between marriage and work: Evidence from Egypt and Jordan. 19th Annual Conference of the Economic Research Forum, 3–5 March 2013, Kuwait.

    Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R., R. Hendy, and C. Yassine. 2014. Gender and the Jordanian labour market. In The Jordanian labour market in the new millennium, ed. R. Assaad, 105–143. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Assaad, R., and Roudi-Fahimi, F. 2007. Youth in the Middle East and North Africa: Demographic opportunity or challenge? MENA Policy Brief, Population Reference Bureau (PRB).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin-Edwards, M. 2011. Labour immigration and labour markets in the GCC countries: National patterns and trends. London: LSE Kuwait Programme on Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, D.E., and J.G. Williamson. 1998. Demographic transitions and economic miracles in emerging Asia. World Bank Economic Review 12(3): 419–455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouhlila, D.S. 2011. The quality of secondary education in the Middle East and North Africa: What can we learn from TIMSS’ results? Compare 41(3): 327–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campante, F.R., and D. Chor. 2012. Why was the Arab world poised for revolution? Schooling economic opportunities, and the Arab Spring. Journal of Economic Perspectives 26(2): 167–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaaban, J. 2010. Job creation in the Arab economies: Navigating through difficult waters. United Nations Development Programme, Regional Bureau for Arab States.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charrad, M.M. 2009. Kinship, Islam, or oil: Culprits of gender inequality? Politics & Gender 5(4): 546–553.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, R., T.W. Ramsey, and E.S. Adler. 1991. Culture, gender, and labor force participation: A cross-national study. Gender and Society 5(1): 47–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corden, W.M., and J.P. Neary. 1982. Booming sector and de-industrialisation in a small open economy. The Economic Journal 92: 825–848.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desai, R.M., A. Olfsgard, and T. Yousef. 2009. The logic of the authoritarian bargain. Economics and Politics 21(1): 93–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diwan, I., P. Keefer, and M. Schiffbauer. 2014. On top of the pyramids: Cronyism and private sector growth in Egypt (mimeo). Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dougherty, C. 2014. The labour market for youth in Egypt: Evidence from the 2012 school-to-work transition survey. Silatech Workshop on the Future of Arab Youth, London Middle East Institute, SOAS, University of London, 24–25 June 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hamidi, F., and Wahba, J. 2004. Why does the MENA region have such high unemployment rates? (mimeo).

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Hamidi, F., and Wahba, J. 2005. The effects of structural adjustment on youth unemployment in Egypt. 12th Annual Conference of the Economic Research Forum, 19–21 December 2005, Cairo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galal, A. 2002. The paradox of education and unemployment in Egypt. Working Paper No. 67, Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, Cairo, Egypt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groh, M., and C. Rothschild. 2012. Oil, Islam, women, and geography: A comment on Ross (2008). Quarterly Journal of Political Science 7(1): 69–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haghighat, E. 2005. A comparative analysis of neopatriarchy and female labor force participation in Islamic countries. Electronic Journal of Sociology 1: 1–1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendy, R. 2010. Rethinking time allocation of Egyptian women: A matching analysis. ERF Working Paper No. 526, Economic Research Forum, Cairo, Egypt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herb, M. 2009. A nation of bureaucrats: Political participation and economic diversification in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Middle East Studies 41: 375–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ILO/UNDP. 2012. Rethinking econoic growth: Towards productive and inclusive Arab societies. Beirut, Lebanon: ILO Regional Office of the Arab States and UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States.

    Google Scholar 

  • ILO. 2013. Global employment trends for youth: A generation at risk. Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart, R., and P. Norris. 2003. The true clash of civilizations. Foreign Policy 135: 63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karshenas, M., and V.M. Moghadam. 2001. Female labor force participation and economic adjustment in the MENA region. Research in Middle East Economics 4: 51–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik, A., and B. Awadallah. 2013. The economics of the Arab Spring. World Development 45: 296–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, R. 2002. Employment and unemployment in Jordan: The importance of the gender system. World Development 30(3): 413–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moghadam, V.M. 2004a. Patriarchy in transition: Women and the changing family in the Middle East. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 35: 137–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moghadam, V.M. 2004b. Women’s economic participation in the Middle East: What difference has the neoliberal policy turn made? Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies 1(1): 110–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullis, I., M. Martin, and P. Foy. 2008. TIMSS 2007 International Mathematics Report: Findings from IEA’s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study at the Fourth and Eighth Grades. Chestnut Hill, MA: TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center, Lynn School of Education, Boston College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muysken, J., and S. Nour. 2006. Deficiencies in education and poor prospects for economic growth in the Gulf countries: The case of the UAE. Journal of Development Studies 42(6): 957–980.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norris, P. 2009. Petroleum patriarchy? A response to Ross. Politics & Gender 5(4): 553–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olmsted, J.C. 2005. Is paid work the (only) answer? Neoliberalism, Arab women’s well-being, and the social contract. Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies 2(1): 112–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, M.L. 2008. Oil, Islam, and women. American Political Science Review 102(1): 107–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salehi-Isfahani, D. 2012. Education, jobs, and equity in the Middle East and North Africa. Comparative Economic Studies 54: 843–861.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, K. 2013. The Global Competitiveness Report: 2013–2014, p. 456. World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharabi, H. 1988. Neopatriarchy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidani, Y. 2005. Women, work, and Islam in Arab societies. Women in Management Review 20(7): 498–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spierings, N., J. Smits, and M. Verloo. 2010. Micro-and macrolevel determinants of women’s employment in six Arab countries. Journal of Marriage and Family 72(5): 1391–1407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Youssef, N.H. 1971. Social structure and the female labor force: The case of women workers in Muslim Middle Eastern countries. Demography 8(4): 427–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. 2004. Unlocking the employment potential in the Middle East and North Africa: Toward a new social contract. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. 2013a. Jobs for shared prosperity: Time for action in the Middle East and North Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. 2013b. Opening doors: Gender equality and development in the Middle East and North Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. 2014. World development indicators data set. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. http://link.springer.com/referencework/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5

    Ragui Assaad

Authors
  1. Ragui Assaad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Copyright information

© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Assaad, R. (2018). Labour Markets in the Arab World. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2897

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation