Empowering Tomorrow: The Youth of MENA as the Sole Catalyst for Hope
Photo By Rebekah Wingert-Jabi

Empowering Tomorrow: The Youth of MENA as the Sole Catalyst for Hope

Introduction: While the world celebrates International Youth Day, the Middle East stands as a realm of captivating paradoxes, particularly within its vibrant, skilled, and educated young generation These young people make up a big part of the MENA population, more than half (55%) of them are below the age of 30. Despite their undeniable potential, they face significant challenges from catching up on the climate changes, the growth of environmentally friendly industries, and the influence of AI on jobs. Interestingly, unlike some wealthy countries where fewer young men and women are entering the job market due to slower economic growth, the MENA region has a unique situation. For instance, in 2022, the population in Japan declined by 556,000. Despite having a growing number of well-educated young individuals, the unemployment rate for youth (ages 15 to 24) is at least double the overall global rate, reaching around 25%, the highest in the world in 2022. This situation raises an important question: Why does a region with educated young talented young people struggle with such high unemployment? Figuring out the reasons behind this issue is crucial for understanding the complex dynamics in the Middle East's job market and finding effective ways to address this important problem.

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Another puzzling contradiction is the progress made by women in education across MENA, contrasted with their limited access to the labor market. This issue is complex, influenced by diverse societal, structural, legal, cultural, and economic factors that require a deeper understanding. Shockingly, only 19.77% of women participate in the labor force in the MENA region, the lowest rate globally. For young women, the unemployment rate stands at a staggering 42%, reaching 47% in Palestine. Surprisingly, despite women often outpacing men in educational attainment in many Middle Eastern areas, this advantage doesn't translate to improved employment prospects. For instance, in Palestine, even youth graduates (aged 19-29) holding associate diploma certificates and higher education degrees face a discouraging unemployment rate of 54%, with a striking gender disparity of 69% for females compared to 39% for males.

These perplexing outcomes primarily stem from deeply ingrained patriarchal norms, which create significant economic and institutional obstacles for young women, hampering their potential for meaningful employment. As we delve deeper into these paradoxes, it becomes evident that addressing the disparity between education and economic opportunity, particularly for the youth and women, is crucial for sustainable progress in the Middle East.

A nother significant paradox in the MENA region revolves around the strong inclination of youth towards seeking secure employment in the public sector, despite having very low trust in the government. The preference for government jobs is clear, but if such opportunities are unavailable, they are hesitant to embrace any other type of work, only considering options that remain under the informal system. This highlights an intriguing dilemma: the desire among youth for government jobs exists alongside distrust for the government's policies and overall systems, raising questions about this seeming contradiction. Informal employment is a prevalent phenomenon in the MENA region, with recent estimates indicating that nearly two out of three workers hold informal jobs, a statistic that adds another layer to this complex situation.

According to Statista, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region is set to witness a remarkable increase in smartphone usage, with a projected 92 percent share of total connections by 2030, up from 76 percent in 2022.  The mobile internet users, exceeding 300 million in 2021, and 4G technology leading with nearly 270 million connections by the end of that year, as estimated by the World Bank. A substantial 77% of the Middle East's population used the internet in 2021, according to the same source.

However, the puzzling paradox question arises: Why isn't this high level of connectivity translating into significant economic and leanring opportunities for the youth to learn and earn? What are the main purposes for which this content is being shared?

The above paradoxes present serious challenges but also holds promising opportunities if policymakers, government officials, and international donors invest in actively listening, involving, and engaging youth in the development process.

Considering Ms. Powers' vision in the recent USAID policy of driving development beyond programs and fortifying local capabilities, perhaps through the active engagement of the youth as key contributors, offers a potential avenue to bridge the gap between potential and tangible outcomes. This approach, if embraced, has the potential to drive more meaningful progress in the MENA region, empowering the next generation to shape their own future.


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* Hisham Jabi is an international development specialist based in Washington, DC. He is the CEO of Jabi Consulting in Washington, DC  and MENA region “www.jabiconsulting.com” He can be reached at hjabi@jabiconsulting.com

john bosco harerimana

Founder and Director at Little angels school

1y

Thank you really very much Mr Hisham , let's look out side in Africa , the most countries of Easter African, the youth needs to have different encouragement and training to stand for their future , and making change through their families , the world bank should involve into that and try to build their capacities , for fighting poverty and creating strong life for the world , blessings

Lorraine Johnson

Impact Storyteller & Writer | Creative & Cultural Industry Leader | Strategic Advisor | Program Development Specialist | Youth Empowerment & Community Development Advocate | Champion of Sustainable, Equitable Development

1y

Fascinating insights and analysis with an interesting reflection in relation to Japan. It is a complex development challenge. Thank you for sharing.

john bosco harerimana

Founder and Director at Little angels school

1y

this is lovely and grateful

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