Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

World Bank economists expect GDP growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to continueat a modest pace of 1.5 percent in 2019, slightly down from 1.6 percent in 2018. The declme reflectsa contraction in one large economy, which more than offsets growth in other countries. In the mediumterm, the World Bank expects real GDP in the MENA to grow at 3.4 percent and 2.7 percent in 2020and 2021, respectively. The expected upswing is partially driven by ongoing policy reforms, as wellas reconstruction efforts in some countries. However, MENA's modest recovery will be insufficientto change its historically low growth in per capita GDP. External factors are unlikely to pull the regionout of its low-growth equilibrium. In addition, many countries in the region have persistent currentaccount deficits. A recent deterioration in external balances across MENA constrained the region'sability to finance these deficits. Although the region has a low risk of experiencing sudden reversalsin capital inflows in the short run, structural reforms capable of raising aggregate labor productivityare urgently needed to gradually reduce external imbalances. The report concludes by providingexamples of reforms in fiscal policies, trade-related policies, social protection and labor markets, andstate-owned enterprises (SOEs) in network industries.

Current Account --- Economic Growth --- External Balances --- Fiscal Balance --- Oil Exporters --- Oil Importers --- Oil Prices --- Productivity

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Part I of this report discusses the short- and medium-term growth prospects for countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region is expected to grow at a subdued rate of 0.6 percent in 2019, rising to 2.6 percent in 2020 and 2.9 percent in 2021. The growth forecast for 2019 is revised down by 0.8 percentage points from the April 2019 projection. MENA's economic outlook is subject to substantial downside risks-most notably, intensified global economic headwinds and rising geopolitical tensions.Part II argues that promoting fair competition is key for MENA countries to complete the transition from an administered to a market economy. Part II first examines current competition policies in MENA countries and to promote fair competition calls for strengthening competition law and enforcement agencies. It also calls for corporatizing state-owned enterprises, promoting the private sector and creating a level-playing field between them. Any moves to reform MENA economies would be aided by professional management of public assets, which could tap into a new source of national wealth.

Current Account --- Economic Growth --- External Balances --- Fiscal Balance --- Oil Exporters --- Oil Importers --- Oil Prices --- Productivity --- Reforms

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Part I of this report discusses the short- and medium-term growth prospects for countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region is expected to grow at a subdued rate of 0.6 percent in 2019, rising to 2.6 percent in 2020 and 2.9 percent in 2021. The growth forecast for 2019 is revised down by 0.8 percentage points from the April 2019 projection. MENA's economic outlook is subject to substantial downside risks-most notably, intensified global economic headwinds and rising geopolitical tensions. Part II argues that promoting fair competition is key for MENA countries to complete the transition from an administered to a market economy. Part II first examines current competition policies in MENA countries and to promote fair competition calls for strengthening competition law and enforcement agencies. It also calls for corporatizing state-owned enterprises, promoting the private sector and creating a level-playing field between them. Any moves to reform MENA economies would be aided by professional management of public assets, which could tap into a new source of national wealth.

Current Account --- Economic Growth --- External Balances --- Fiscal Balance --- Oil Exporters --- Oil Importers --- Oil Prices --- Productivity

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

In the three months since most observers, including the World Bank, issued their last forecasts, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region has changed substantially. Political tensions have eased somewhat with presidential and legislative elections completed in a few countries. Egypt's cabinet approved the electoral constituencies' law, the last step before calling for the House of Representatives elections, the final milestone in the political roadmap initiated in July 2013. Presidential elections were held in Tunisia, with Beji Caid Essebsi sworn in as the new president in December. Iran's nuclear talks with the P5+1 were extended for 6 months--while bilateral talks continue-with the aim of reaching a deal in July 2015. In Iraq, the government and the Kurdish region reached an agreement in December resolving a longstanding dispute over the budget and distribution of oil revenues. Meanwhile, Lebanon, Yemen and Libya still struggle to maintain a functional government. The global economy is estimated to have expanded by 2.6 percent (q/q annualized rate), better than the second quarter of 2014, but unchanged from the slow pace seen in 2012 and 2013. But the most important development is that international oil prices have literally collapsed, reaching a level below USD 50 per barrel (Brent crude) in early January, a drop of 50 percent since their peak in mid-June 2014.

Arab spring --- Arab transition countries --- Development economics --- Economic growth --- Economic policy --- Growth --- Investment --- MENA --- Oil exporters --- Oil importers --- Oil prices --- Poverty --- Transition countries --- Volatility

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

With the benefit of hindsight, this paper provides a fresh and comprehensive look at the causes of the 2014-16 collapse in oil prices and its impact on the global economy. It disentangles the contribution of supply and demand factors, assesses the impact on activity in oil exporters and oil importers, and reviews policy responses in these countries. The main conclusions are: (i) the decline in oil prices was predominantly triggered by supply factors, particularly rapid efficiency gains in U.S. shale oil production, but softening demand prospects played a substantial role as well; (ii) the short-term benefits of falling oil prices for the global economy were muted by economic rebalancing in China, a low responsiveness of activity in other oil-importing emerging markets, and a sharp slowdown in U.S. investment as energy sector activity declined and a the U.S. dollar strengthened; (iii) oil exporters with flexible exchange rates and relatively large fiscal buffers fared better than others, but most oil-exporting economies still face significant policy challenges as their medium-term prospects for growth and fiscal revenues have deteriorated; (iv) fundamental changes in the oil market make a return to the oil price levels of the early 2010s unlikely, pointing to the need for accelerated reforms, particularly among oil exporters.

Access of Poor to Social Services --- Disability --- Diversification --- Economic Adjustment and Lending --- Economic Assistance --- Energy --- Energy and Environment --- Energy Demand --- Energy Policies and Economics --- Energy Subsidies --- Fiscal Policy --- Inflation --- Macroeconomic Management --- Macroeconomics and Economic Growth --- Monetary Policy --- Oil Exporters --- Oil Importers --- Oil Prices --- OPEC --- Poverty Reduction --- Public Sector Development --- Services and Transfers to Poor --- Shale Oil --- Social Protections and Labor