New data from the World Bank has drawn attention to the fragile state of youth employment across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP), revealing a mixed picture of progress and persistent challenges in 2024.
According to the figures, the employment-to-population ratio for young people aged 15–24 has improved in the expanded MENAAP grouping compared to the earlier pre-MENAAP classification. The ratio rose from 18.7 percent in the earlier grouping to 26.7 percent under the MENAAP framework, indicating that a larger share of youth are now engaged in work or economic activity.
However, the improvement in employment participation does not tell the full story. The youth unemployment rate, while lower than before, remains alarmingly high. The data shows unemployment at 19.0 percent in the MENAAP region, compared to 24.8 percent in the pre-MENAAP grouping. This suggests that although more young people are entering the labor market, a significant proportion still struggle to find stable employment.
Economists say the figures reflect structural issues rather than short-term fluctuations. Rapid population growth, limited private-sector job creation, political instability in parts of the region, and skills mismatches continue to weigh heavily on youth employment outcomes. In several countries, young people are either underemployed or working in informal jobs that offer little security or long-term growth.
The contrast between rising participation and high unemployment also highlights a key concern: more young people are actively seeking work, but labor markets are not expanding fast enough to absorb them. This gap risks fueling frustration, migration pressures, and social unrest if left unaddressed.
International institutions have repeatedly stressed that improving youth employment in the MENAAP region will require coordinated reforms. These include investing in education and vocational training, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, encouraging private investment, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce.
The World Bank data serves as a reminder that while some progress is visible, the region remains one of the most challenging environments globally for young job seekers. Without sustained policy action and economic diversification, the promise of a growing youth population may remain unrealized, turning a potential demographic advantage into a long-term economic burden.