Jobs Undone - Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa - 2022 Report

Jul 19, 2026

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Jobs Undone examines why the Middle East and North Africa has struggled to generate more and better jobs, linking labor outcomes to how governments interact with markets and workers. The report analyzes exclusion, informality, the constraints faced by women workers and entrepreneurs, and the effects of COVID-19 on employment prospects. It evaluates barriers to job creation, including private-sector “sclerosis,” market and labor regulations, taxes, and gendered laws, then outlines reform directions toward more contestable markets and inclusive growth.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages159

Reading Time6 h 41 min

Foreword

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Executive Summary

Abbreviations

Chapter 1 Introduction: Meeting the Jobs Challenge in the Middle East and North Africa

Introduction

Voices of Young Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region

Country Tables

Chapter 2 The Lost Promise of More and Better Jobs

Introduction

Exclusion and Informality

The Plight of Female Workers

Not the Jobs of the Future

The Impact of COVID-19

Notes

References

Chapter 3 What Prevents the Creation of More and Better Jobs in MENA?

Introduction

Pathways that Link Market Contestability with Jobs

The Region’s “Sclerotic” Private Sector

The Plight of Female Entrepreneurs

Limited Overall Economic Growth

Notes

References

Chapter 4 The Suspects That Limit Market Contestability and Job Creation

Introduction

Product Market Regulations and SOEs

Labor Market Regulations and Related Taxes

Gendered Laws

Notes

References

Chapter 5 Toward More Contestable Markets

Introduction

Leveling the Playing Field in the Product Market

Reshaping the Relationship between the Government and Workers

Fostering Women’s Inclusion in All Economic Spheres

Working “at the Margins” to Find Feasible Reform Paths

Data for Reforms

Note

References

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized JOBS UNDONE Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa Asif M. Islam, Dalal Moosa, and Federica Saliola JOBS UNDONE JOBS UNDONE Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa Asif M. Islam, Dalal Moosa, and Federica Saliola © 2022 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet: www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) Some rights reserved 1 2 3 4 25 24 23 22 This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO license (CC BY 3.0 IGO) [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo. Under) the Creative Commons Attribution license, you are free to copy, distribute, transmit, and adapt this work, including for commercial purposes, under the following conditions: Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: Islam, Asif M., Dalal Moosa, and Federica Saliola. 2022. Jobs Undone: Reshaping the Role of Governments toward Markets and Workers in the Middle East and North Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi:10. 1596/978-1-4648-1735-9. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO Translations—If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This translation was not created by The World Bank and should not be considered an official World Bank translation. The World Bank shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation. Adaptations—If you create an adaptation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: This is an adaptation of an original work by The World Bank. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the author or authors of the adaptation and are not endorsed by The World Bank. Third-party content—The World Bank does not necessarily own each component of the content contained within the work. The World Bank therefore does not warrant that the use of any third-party-owned individual component or part contained in the work will not infringe on the rights of those third parties. The risk of claims resulting from such infringement rests solely with you. If you wish to re-use a component of the work, it is your responsibility to determine whether permission is needed for that re-use and to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Examples of components can include, but are not limited to, tables, figures, or images. All queries on rights and licenses should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; e-mail: [pubrights@worldbank.org](pubrights@worl

FAQs

What is the central focus of Jobs Undone?

The report focuses on why governments’ roles in markets and employment have not delivered more and better jobs in the Middle East and North Africa.

Which factors does the report identify as contributing to job shortfalls in MENA?

It highlights exclusion and informality, constraints affecting women workers and entrepreneurs, limited economic growth, and weak job creation mechanisms tied to market contestability.

How does the report propose improving employment outcomes?

It recommends moving toward more contestable markets, leveling the playing field in product markets, reshaping the government–worker relationship, and supporting women’s inclusion with feasible reform paths and data to guide them.

Jul 19, 2026

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