Middle East’s youth face 'jobs crisis'

DUBAI // The Middle East is facing a major jobs crisis for its young people, according to a new report released by the Dubai School of Government and American researchers.

Nearly 25 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the region remain unemployed, compared to a world average of 14 per cent, the research found.

The report, titled Missed by the Boom, Hurt by the Bust: Making Markets work for Young People in the Middle East, is the first of its kind on the impact of the global economic crisis on the region’s youth.

It reveals that in some Arab countries, entry level positions tend to go to migrant workers or older employees rather than fresh graduates, leaving some nations, including Jordan, with more than 70 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 unemployed.

Furthermore, the Middle East is witnessing for the first time an increased number of youth in the total population, with about 32 per cent of the Arab world being made up of those in that age bracket. This figure, coupled with the current economic slowdown, will create further pressure on the job market and reduced number of entry-level positions, the report says.

The final challenge, researchers found, is that many governments are increasing public sector employment and job protection policies while delaying progress towards a greater international integration. The study showed that expanding the role of the private sector will help minimise the impact of the economic downturn.

The report, a joint project between the Dubai School of Government and the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings, based in the US, offers 10 specific policy recommendations in order to prevent a renewed job crisis for the upcoming generation of employees.

Source