Conducted with Gallup, this brief compares reported unemployment as well as underemployment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to other major regions worldwide in 2012.

It specifically focuses on reported levels among young people ages 18-29, who are most likely to be in or attempting to enter the labor force of their respective countries. The brief compares underemployment levels within the MENA region across different age groups and educational attainment levels.

Key Findings

• The MENA region has the highest unemployment rate for young people worldwide.
• Underemployment in the MENA region is among the highest found in regions around the world.
• Globally, MENA youth have among the highest underemployment rates compared with peers in other regions.
• Young women in the MENA region have the highest unemployment among young women worldwide.