Government data—such as data from censuses, surveys, civil registration, and administrative systems—continue to provide the foundation for critical disaster-related statistics. At the same time,…

As we commemorate the International Day of Education this month, the 2023 theme “to invest in people, prioritize education” – it is all the more crucial for the countries of the Middle East and…

The number of people forcibly displaced is set to increase and, if they are to become self-reliant, then they need employment opportunities. Yet labor market programs for displaced populations are…

Lessons from integrating Syrian refugees in the Greek labor market

This blog is a biweekly feature highlighting recent working papers from around the World Bank Group. It introduces six papers published from April 16 to April 30 on various topics, including…

The rapid evolution of the war in Ukraine and its horrendous humanitarian consequences caught many of us by surprise. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is unfortunately prone to such…

The challenges of digital inclusion faced in MENA region are intertwined with social issues like poverty, conflict, gender inequality, forced migration and lack of access to basic services.…

Public sectors in MENA have struggled to reform for decades. Public sector employees account for 25% of total employment across the region and public sector salaries represent 32% of total…

A new research paper examines gender norms, domestic work, and school enrollment for Syrian refugee adolescent girls in Jordan, comparing girls and boys, adults and adolescents, Jordanians and…

When he first arrived in Jordan, Abd was shocked by the lack of water. He fled Syria in 2013 after the destruction of his house and out of fear for his children’s lives. But since arriving in…