As economic growth slows in most of the region, unemployment is on the rise again following a decline over most of the 2000s.
Unemployment topped 10 per cent in 2012, and youth unemployment was above 26 per cent. Youth unemployment rates are expected to rise further.
There are vast differences within the region, oil-exporting Gulf countries typically have low single-digit unemployment rates.
In Gulf countries, public employment has been expanded in an attempt to address the adverse consequences of high unemployment for nationals.
Value added per capita growth remains low and productive structural change is expected to decelerate during 2011-17, compared to 2007-2011. (See 2nd chart below)
