Arab Economies in the Twenty-First Century

This book examines the relationship between demographic growth and economic development in eight Arab countries.

Paul Rivlin (Author)

9780521719230, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 February 2009

328 pages, 32 b/w illus. 62 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.44 kg

'Rivlin skillfully addresses in comparative context the vital issue of how Arab political economies are dealing with their 'youth bulge.' His investigation of their failure adequately to capitalize on this potential human resource asset sheds valuable new light on both this specific topic and the more general one of Arab economic development.' Robert Springborg, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey

This book examines the relationship between demographic growth and economic development in eight Arab countries. Despite a slowdown in demographic growth, as a result of the change in the age structure of the population, the labour force is increasing rapidly. In other parts of the world, similar developments have enhanced economic growth. In the Arab world, however, many of the opportunities presented by demographic transition are being lost, resulting in serious threats to the political stability of the region. The main reason for this is that the region has missed out on industrialization. The book goes beyond conventional analysis to ask two closely related questions. The first is, why were governments so slow in tackling stability? The second is, why has the response been similar in apparently different economies? Answers are provided using new literature in economics and economic history.

1. Introduction
2. Demography and economics
3. The constraints of history
4. Comparative economics: the Arab world, East Asia and South America
5. Egypt: the submerged giant?
6. Iraq: after destruction
7. Jordan: from rents to market?
8. Morocco: reforms that did not cure
9. Palestine: the making and unmaking of a state
10. Saudi Arabia: oil wealth and unemployment
11. Syria: lost potential
12. Tunisia: unhappy leader
13. Conclusions: the Arab equilibrium.

Subject Areas: Economics [KC], Comparative politics [JPB], Political science & theory [JPA], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]