nep-ara New Economics Papers
on MENA - Middle East and North Africa
Issue of 2025–03–31
27 papers chosen by
Paul Makdissi, Université d’Ottawa
  1. Morocco Economic Monitor, Summer 2024 By World Bank
  2. Iran Economic Monitor, Spring 2024 By World Bank
  3. Tunisia Economic Monitor, Spring 2024 By World Bank
  4. Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in the MENA Region By World Bank
  5. Climate Change Roadmap - Middle East and North Africa FY21–25 By World Bank
  6. Middle East and North Africa - Macro Poverty Outlook Country-by-Country Analysis and Projections for the Developing World By World Bank
  7. Gendered Impacts of Colonial Education: the Role of Access and Norms Transmission in French Morocco By Amélie Allegre; Oana Borcan; Christa Brunnschweiler
  8. Egypt Country Environmental Analysis By World Bank
  9. Double Trouble? Assessing Climate Physical and Transition Risks for the Moroccan Banking Sector By World Bank
  10. Algeria Economic Update, Spring 2024 By World Bank
  11. World Bank GovTech Operations in Tunisia By World Bank
  12. Lebanon ID Diagnostic By World Bank
  13. Egypt - Gender Equality and Climate Change By World Bank Group
  14. Beyond the Shoreline - Towards a Blue and Resilient Future for Tunisia By World Bank
  15. Lebanon Digital ID Use Cases By World Bank
  16. Türkiye Economic Monitor, March 2024 By World Bank
  17. Formal Childcare in Jordan By World Bank
  18. Syria Economic Monitor, Spring 2024 By World Bank
  19. Le travail invisible des femmes By Larabi Jaïdi
  20. Gulf Economic Update, Spring 2024 By World Bank
  21. The adoption of technologies in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund in propelling its attainment of Vision 2030 goals By Alqublan, Loulwa Fadel
  22. Toward an Inclusive, Equitable, and Sustainable National Pension System in Iraq By World Bank
  23. World Bank Health Nutrition and Population Policy Note - Health Financing in Lebanon By World Bank
  24. Forces et faiblesses d’une économie égyptienne en crise depuis 1956 By Henri-Louis Vedie
  25. Lebanon Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 - Weathering a Protracted Crisis By World Bank
  26. Sudanese External Debt: Sustainability Analysis and Prospects for Solutions By Hag, Mohammed Gebrail
  27. Toward a One Health Approach in Sudan By World Bank
  1. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Private Sector Development-Business Environment
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41892
  2. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41861
  3. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Forecasting Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Energy-Renewable Energy
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41532
  4. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Governance-Governance and the Financial Sector Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Policy, Institutions and Governance Industry-Industrial Management
    Date: 2024–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41457
  5. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Environment-Adaptation to Climate Change Environment-Climate Change Impacts
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41842
  6. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Inflation Poverty Reduction-Development Patterns and Poverty
    Date: 2024–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41427
  7. By: Amélie Allegre (School of Economics, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom); Oana Borcan (School of Economics, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom); Christa Brunnschweiler (Department of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
    Abstract: We examine colonial-era primary education as a determinant of modern-day attainment and gender disparities in education. We construct a novel dataset from the French Protectorate in Morocco, combining archival data on colonial school locations in 1931 and 1954 with the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data in arbitrary grids. We analyse the influence of colonial schools on the probability of attaining primary and secondary education in 2004. Overall, schools dedicated to Moroccans in 1931 exhibit a persistent positive impact on education outcomes, but only in the absence of nearby schools reserved for Europeans. Stark gender gaps in access during the Protectorate were narrowed in places with schools for Jewish Moroccans. These had a positive impact on girls’ contemporary levels of education, but a negative impact on the enrolment for boys following the dismantling of Jewish communities after 1948. DHS measures of preferences for female education point to a social norms transmission mechanism between Jewish and Muslim Moroccan communities.
    Keywords: education, colonial legacy, female education, Morocco, French Protectorate
    JEL: N37 O15 I21
    Date: 2025–03–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nst:samfok:20225
  8. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Environment-Ecosystems and Natural Habitats Environment-Environmental Governance Environment-Marine Environment Environment-Green Issues
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41819
  9. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Environment-Climate Change Impacts Environment-Environmental Management Finance and Financial Sector Development-Banks & Banking Reform
    Date: 2024–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41405
  10. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Information and Communication Technologies-ICT Applications
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41591
  11. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies-ICT Applications Governance-E-Government
    Date: 2024–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41397
  12. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Science and Technology Development-Technology Innovation
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41564
  13. By: World Bank Group
    Keywords: Gender-Gender and Development Environment-Adaptation to Climate Change
    Date: 2024–03
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41182
  14. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Environment-Coastal and Marine Environment Environment-Environmental Management Environment-Marine Environment Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41614
  15. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Science and Technology Development-Technology Innovation
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41565
  16. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Development Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Policy, Institutions and Governance Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Inflation Governance-Governance and the Financial Sector
    Date: 2024–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41641
  17. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Gender-Gender and Economics Gender-Gender and Development
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41927
  18. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Communities and Human Settlements-Human Migrations & Resettlements Conflict and Development-Armed Conflict Conflict and Development-Conflict and Fragile States Conflict and Development-International Affairs Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Insecurity
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41599
  19. By: Larabi Jaïdi
    Abstract: Chaque jour, en moyenne, les femmes marocaines consacrent près de cinq heures à des tâches domestiques (cuisine, ménage, courses, soins aux enfants, etc.). Elles assurent plus de 90 % du temps total consacré aux tâches domestiques par l’ensemble des hommes et des femmes. Ce travail non rémunéré représente des services indispensables qui participent au bien-être matériel des personnes et des foyers sans pour autant apparaître dans la production nationale, telle que mesurée par le produit intérieur brut (PIB). D’où la nécessité de mesurer cette production domestique afin d’estimer à sa juste valeur la contribution essentielle des femmes à l’économie nationale et d’en prendre en compte l’impact sur le niveau de vie des ménages. Les données extraites des recensements et des enquêtes budget- temps permettraient de rendre ce travail visible statistiquement. Les données des deux enquêtes Budget-temps menées par le HCP en 1999 et 2012 décrivent précisément l’usage du temps de la population résidant au Maroc ; elles permettraient – si elles étaient régulièrement réalisées – d’estimer l’évolution du temps consacré et le partage des responsabilités liées à ces tâches au sein des ménages. Pour évaluer la valeur du travail domestique, il faut pouvoir attribuer un prix à ces heures de travail. Ce prix ne peut être que fictif puisque ces heures ne reposent pas sur une transaction marchande. Diverses solutions peuvent être retenues. Les estimations de la valeur de la production domestique varient beaucoup en fonction de la méthode utilisée. Quelle que soit la méthode d’évaluation, la valeur du travail domestique non rémunéré, plus particulièrement celui des femmes, est importante par rapport au PIB. Comptabiliser le travail invisible et non rémunéré en l’intégrant au PIB, c’est reconnaître et valoriser les personnes qui l’effectuent, car leur rôle est bénéfique et indispensable à toute la société. C’est surtout faire preuve d’équité envers les femmes qui assument majoritairement ce travail. Cette perspective faciliterait la mise en place de politiques publiques sensibles au genre et contribuerait à définir des mesures sociales, économiques et fiscales susceptibles d’améliorer le statut des femmes, principales responsables du travail invisible.
    Date: 2025–03
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:pbecon:pb_14_25
  20. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Education-Education Reform and Management Macroeconomics and Economic Growth-Economic Growth
    Date: 2024–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41642
  21. By: Alqublan, Loulwa Fadel
    Abstract: This research investigates the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies (DTs) in the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) Vision Realisation Programme (VRP) and their impact on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's progress toward achieving its Vision 2030 strategy. The study employs sentiment, empirical, and semi-empirical analyses to examine the adoption of AI and DTs in the PIF's portfolio companies before and after the inception of Vision 2030. Sentiment analysis is utilised to textually analyse the profiles of PIF's portfolio companies in both periods. Empirical analysis reveals a statistically significant difference in the adoption of AI and DT terminologies. Where empirical evidence was implausible to obtain due to data limitations, semi-empirical analysis is employed, yielding results consistent with the study's hypothesis. This paper extends its focus to the macroeconomic level, demonstrating a positive impact of AI and DTs on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s macroeconomic indicators. Notably, the study challenges existing literature by revealing that AI adoption does not negatively affect employment, providing a novel insight on the relationship between AI and the labour force. This departure from previous literature emphasises the need for further exploration of AI's implications on employment. This study’s key findings align with existing literature on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), affirming that integrating AI and DTs enhances investment outcomes. While existing literature employs qualitative assessments, this research fills a substantial gap by offering a country-specific empirical analysis of the impact of the PIF on the country’s macroeconomy. The study provides structured analyses, contributing in-depth knowledge on various aspects of broader debates on AI and DT adoption. The inclusive conceptual framework presented in this research suggests avenues for future research and diverse applications across countries.
    Date: 2023–12–31
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:9y86p_v1
  22. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Social Protections and Labor-Pensions & Retirement Systems Social Protections and Labor-Social Funds and Pensions
    Date: 2024–07
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41926
  23. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Health, Nutrition and Population-Health Insurance Health, Nutrition and Population-Health Service Management and Delivery Poverty Reduction-Poverty and Health
    Date: 2024–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41783
  24. By: Henri-Louis Vedie
    Abstract: Depuis 1956, l’économie égyptienne est en crise. Durant la période entre 1956 et 2024, elle a connu douze dévaluations et huit crises majeures de sa balance des paiements. Avec un déficit récurrent de sa balance courante, le pays est exposé au plus grand des risques : le risque souverain. Ce qui est une première faiblesse. Mais ce pays, qui a toujours réussi à s’épargner ce risque, témoigne aussi de certaines forces, ce qui constitue sa première force. De ce constat est née l’idée de consacrer cette étude à ces forces et faiblesses, récurrentes depuis 1956. La première partie de cette étude couvre la période 1956-2024. Elle met en évidence trois faiblesses et trois forces récurrentes. Côté faiblesses, sont privilégiées par cette étude tout d’abord sa démographie. Avec un taux de croissance annuel de la population égyptienne de 1, 6 %, cette surpopulation est une véritable bombe à retardement, pour les décennies à venir. Ensuite, une balance courante structurellement déficitaire, ce qui pérennise le risque souverain. Enfin, une pauvreté qui s’installe et qui progresse. Côté atouts, au nombre de trois, également : ceux liés à sa position stratégique, géographique ; celui d’ordre financier, avec trois rentes qui contribuent à 12, 4 % du PIB en 2023 (Diaspora, tourisme, Canal de Suez) ; celui d’un soutien constant des institutions monétaires internationales, qui s’est construit avec le temps, de l’Occident et des pays du Golfe. La deuxième partie est consacrée à la dernière crise, essentiellement due à des chocs extérieurs : Covid-19, invasion de l’Ukraine par la Russie, guerre à Gaza et au Liban. Ces chocs extérieurs vont se traduire, à partir de 2021, par une fragilisation de certainesforcesdel’économieégyptienne(recettes touristiques et recettes du canal de Suez revues à la baisse par exemple ; et par l’amplification de certaines de ses faiblesses, comme un risque de change conforté, par une balance courante qui continue de se dégrader, et un taux de pauvreté qui progresse.
    Date: 2025–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:rpaeco:pp05_25
  25. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Poverty Reduction-Inequality Poverty Reduction-Living Standards Poverty Reduction-Poverty Monitoring & Analysis Social Protections and Labor-Labor Markets
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41619
  26. By: Hag, Mohammed Gebrail
    Abstract: This study aims to analyse Sudans debt sustainability and suggests practical solutions for its external debt crisis. To this end, the study applies descriptive statistics methods to secondary data. The empirical results of a debt sustainability analysis point out that Sudan remains in debt distress as all its external debt burden ratios remain well above their respective indicative thresholds. Consequently, this study introduces three scenarios for solving the Sudanese debt crisis. The first is full or partial debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The second scenario is repaying all external debt through the establishment of a so-called oil revenue fund to serve Sudanese external debt in collaboration with South Sudan. The study also suggests debt division between Sudan and South Sudan as a last resort. The study shows that Sudan faces an external debt burden ranging from US$7.96 billion (financial capacity weighted) to US$31.6 billion (geographical method weighted). By comparison, South Sudans debt burden ranges between US$8.2 billion (geographical method weighted) and US$31.84 billion (financial capacity weighted). Additionally, the study suggests that each country bears an additional US$4.2 billion as their share of the interest accumulation of the debt stock upon the separation of South Sudan, which amounted to US$39.8 billion. Several policy implications emerge from the study that could help policy makers in the two countries, and key creditors, be more strategic in addressing the issue in a way that accommodates common interests.
    Date: 2024–05–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aer:wpaper:ca44cbdd-8a9b-4b23-b878-53bb06fb64af
  27. By: World Bank
    Keywords: Health, Nutrition and Population-Communicable Diseases Health, Nutrition and Population-Environment and Health Health, Nutrition and Population-Disease Control & Prevention Health, Nutrition and Population-Health Monitoring & Evaluation
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:41580
This nep-ara issue is ©2025 by Paul Makdissi. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranty. It may be freely redistributed in whole or in part for any purpose. If distributed in part, please include this notice.
General information on the NEP project can be found at https://nep.repec.org. For comments please write to the director of NEP, Marco Novarese at <director@nep.repec.org>. Put “NEP” in the subject, otherwise your mail may be rejected.
NEP’s infrastructure is sponsored by the School of Economics and Finance of Massey University in New Zealand.
This page is being maintained by Thomas Krichel. It was last updated on 2025‒03‒31 at 16:14.