The present publication is the latest in a series published biennially by the Statistics, Information Society and Technology Cluster of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). It presents a broad illustration of Arab society and the ways in which it has been changing, focusing on population dynamics, household composition and family formation, housing conditions, health, labour, poverty and inequality, and education. Data are compiled primarily from national statistical offices of ESCWA member States and supplemented by public accessible data from international organizations, such as the International Labour Organization, the World Bank, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Health Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Focusing on population dynamics, household composition, family formation, housing conditions, health, COVID-19, education, labour, poverty, inequality and culture and social participation, this report presents a broad illustration of Arab society and the ways in which it is changing. Data have been drawn primarily from the national statistical offices of ESCWA Member States. They have been supplemented by publicly accessible data from international agencies such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Arab Society: A Compendium of Demographic and Social Statistics, is the latest in a series of biennial compendia of the Statistics Division of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). It presents a broad description of Arab society, focusing on population dynamics, household composition and family formation, housing conditions, health, education, labour, poverty and inequality, and culture and social participation. Data are drawn primarily from National Statistical Offices of ESCWA member countries and supplemented by publicly accessible data from international agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organization, the International Labour Organization, the World Bank and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Not all available indicators are displayed in the body of this publication. A more exhaustive set of tables can be found on the ESCWA website.

The Compendium of Social Statistics and Indicators is a biennial publication published by the Statistics Division of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). It typically focuses on such areas as population, education, households and family, human settlements, health and economic activity. In the hope of widening the audience of this publication, the eleventh issue is intended not only as a reference for policymakers and other officials, but also as a snapshot of trends in the region for readers with an interest in the social climate of Western Asia, including academics, students, journalists and the general public.