Decent Work and Economic Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in large and heterogeneous declines in bilateral trade flows. This study investigates whether these diverse effects can be explained by differences in trade costs as measured by pre-existing trade policies such as tariffs, non-tariff measures, and participation in trade agreements. Results indicate that trade flows subject to higher trade costs declined by more than average during 2020. The results also show that the effect of higher trade costs was lower the larger the importer’s market share. We interpret these results as evidence that the fall in demand during 2020 caused less-established and higher-cost suppliers to be squeezed out of international markets. More generally, the results of this paper have important implications for development, as they indicate that similar trade costs impose relatively higher burdens on smaller exporters.

Family-oriented policies and programmes involve families in their design and implementation. They promote the wellbeing of family units and their members in areas such as child education and development, intergenerational care and support, and work and family reconciliation, thus contributing to several SDGs. The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development provides an opportunity to take stock of the importance of family-oriented policies for social development and demonstrate that further advancement of family policy in the context of the 2030 Agenda depends on how well issues of family policy are integrated into the overall development planning at national levels. This brief presents a global analysis of 171 Voluntary National Reviews (2020–2024) from 141 countries addressing core aspects of family well-being by focusing on policies related to: poverty reduction (SDG1), food security and nutrition (SDG2), health and well-being (SDG3), quality education (SDG4), and gender equality (SDG5). It also considers complementary goals that influence the well-being of families, including access to water and sanitation (SDG6), housing, transportation, and inclusive urban development (SDG11), reduced inequalities (SDG10), as well as peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG16). Notably, the period under scrutiny spans five years and is marked by the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery efforts. Moreover, the reporting countries vary in levels of development and state capacities.

Over the next decades, most small island developing States (SIDS) are projected to experience a rapid increase in both the share and the number of people aged 65 years or over. In half of the SIDS, the size of the older population will double between now and 2055. All SIDS, even those with youthful populations today, should embrace forward-looking strategies to capitalize on the opportunities that population ageing will bring, while also addressing the context-specific challenges it may pose.

This report provides an assessment of the social and economic impact and efficacy of post Dorian and COVID support programmes on micro, small and mid-sized enterprises in Grand Bahama and Abaco, as well as Recommendations for policy development to improve resiliency, promote social and economic recovery and mitigate the impact of future disaster on MSMES. This report links the available institutional research on the distinct and separate impacts of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 with new data collected from an online survey created on the KOBO Humanitarian platform in collaboration with UNDP SURGE Data Hub, Country Support Management Team of the UNDP Crisis Bureau. The survey, launched from November 2020 to February 2021 and promoted via radio and social media, received 486 responses from affected owners of MSMEs in Grand Bahama and Abaco, some of whom had been displaced because of the storm. The respondents represent almost 14 percent of all registered MSMEs on the islands prior to Hurricane Dorian.

This policy brief examines recent United States tariff shockwaves and the 90-day tariff pause, highlighting both direct impacts – particularly on Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia – and indirect spillovers through weaker demand from China and the European Union, and falling oil prices. Preliminary estimates for 2025 suggest moderate macroeconomic effects for the Agadir Agreement countries and limited impacts for the Gulf Cooperation Council economies. The brief underscores rising fiscal vulnerabilities and calls upon Arab States to strengthen regional integration, diversify trade and engage with the United States to enhance economic resilience.

لقد شهدت العلاقة بين الهجرة والتنمية اهتماما متزايدا في السنوات الأخيرة، على الصعيدين العالمي والإقليمي، مما يعكس الأثر العميق لتنقّل السكان على بلدان المنشأ وبلدان المقصد داخل المنطقة وخارجها. وتتناول طبعة عام 2024 من تقرير حالة الهجرة الدولية في المنطقة العربية العلاقة الهامة بين الهجرة والتنمية في منطقة تمر بتحولات ديموغرافية واقتصادية واجتماعية وتكنولوجية تحويلية. ويقدم التقرير تحليلا لاتجاهات الهجرة والتحديات والفرص، مع التركيز على الدور المزدوج للهجرة بوصفها محركا ونتاجا للتنمية. وتسلط الرؤى الرئيسية الضوء على إمكانات الهجرة للمساهمة بشكل إيجابي في المجتمعات المضيفة وبلدان المنشأ. فالمهاجرون يجلبون مهارات ومعارف وتنوّعات ثقافية قيّمة، بينما تدعم التحويلات المالية الأسر وتقلل من الفقر وتحفّز النمو الاقتصادي. لكنّ تحقيق هذه النتائج يتطلب سياسات تحمي حقوق المهاجرين وتعظّم مساهماتهم في التنمية. هذا وإنّ التعاون الإقليمي ضروري أيضا، حيث إن الطبيعة المترابطة للبلدان العربية تعني أن سياسات الهجرة في بلد من البلدان قد تؤثر بشكل كبير على جيرانه. ويقدم هذا التقرير خارطة طريق لتسخير إمكانات الهجرة، مع التصدي للتحديات التي تواجهها. فمن خلال اعتماد نهج شامل واستشرافي، يمكن للمنطقة العربية أن تنصّب الهجرة كمصدر للقوة والقدرة على الصمود والازدهار المشترك.

This policy brief explores differences in skills requirements in job roles in Qatar and Tunisia. In Qatar, jobs tend to require specialized, industry-aligned skills; in Tunisia, employers tend to place greater emphasis on cross-functional competencies. High unemployment in Tunisia, particularly among graduates, drives skilled workers to Qatar, many of whom take skilled jobs in the ICT, healthcare, education and administration sectors. The brief recommends targeted pre-migration training, cross-national certifications, and partnerships with Qatari employers to address skill gaps. It also calls for Tunisia to establish skills repatriation programmes to help it to make the best possible use of returning migrants’ expertise in developing the local work force. These strategies, if implemented, could contribute to enhancing Tunisian migrant workers’ employability abroad while fostering economic growth in their home country.

يتناول موجز السياسات هذا الواقع المتبدّل للوظائف الخضراء في المنطقة العربية، مستنداً إلى بيانات آنية مستخرجة من مرصد مهارات الإسكوا لتحديد الاتجاهات والفجوات والفرص. وعلى الرغم من الزخم العالمي، لا تمثل الوظائف الخضراء سوى 5.06 في المائة من مجموع إعلانات الوظائف على الإنترنت في المنطقة العربية حتى عام 2024، وقد سُجِّلت أعلى نسب منها في اقتصادات كبرى مثل المملكة العربية السعودية وعُمان وقطر. ويتناول هذا الموجز قطاع النفط والغاز بمزيدٍ من التفصيل لتقييم مدى تحوّله نحو الاستدامة. وتُظْهِرُ النتائج أن 23 في المائة من الوظائف ضمن هذا القطاع باتت تُصنَّف على أنها وظائف خضراء، مما يُشير إلى بوادر أولية للتحوّل الأخضر في أحد أكثر القطاعات كثافة في الانبعاثات الكربونية في المنطقة. ومع ذلك، تبقى الفجوة قائمة بين المهن التي تتّسم بمواءمة عالية مع التحوّل الأخضر وتلك التي تسجِّل طلباً مرتفعاً. وثمّة حاجة إلى سياسات تعزِّز الاستثمار الأخضر، وتدمج مبادئ الاستدامة في أنظمة التعليم والقوى العاملة، وتعزِّز أنظمة معلومات سوق العمل، في سبيل توجيه التحوّل الأخضر العادل والشامل.

This policy brief examines the evolving landscape of green jobs in the Arab region, drawing on real-time data from the ESCWA Skills Monitor to identify trends, gaps and opportunities. Despite global momentum, green jobs account for just 5.06 per cent of online job postings in the Arab region as of 2024, with the highest concentrations observed in larger economies such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. This policy brief takes a closer look at the oil and gas sector to assess the extent of its transition toward sustainability. Findings show that 23 per cent of jobs within the sector are now classified as green, signalling early signs of greening in one of the region’s most carbon-intensive industries. However, there remains a disconnect between occupations with high green alignment and those in high demand. Policies that scale up green investment, embed sustainability in education and workforce systems, and enhance labour market intelligence are needed to guide a just and inclusive green transition.

The May 2021 hostilities were the fourth round of offensive by Israel on the Gaza Strip, following the 2008, 2012, and 2014 hostilities. It resulted in devastating consequences, taking the lives of 261 Palestinians, including 67 children and 41 women. It led to a considerable destruction of residential and commercial buildings, as well as damages of schools, health facilities, water and power networks, roads, and public buildings, which in turn disrupted the provision of vital basic services. UNDP led the design and implementation of a detailed infrastructure damage assessment from June to August 2021 in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MoPWH) as well as line ministries, municipalities, the Palestinian Contractors Union (PCU), UNRWA, UNMAS, and in consultation with UN agencies, the cluster coordinators, and civil society actors. The primary purpose of the assessment was to identify real damages resulting from the May 2021 hostilities, to inform rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovery interventions. It provides an estimate of two types of costs: a) reconstruction / rehabilitation to the state it was before the destruction / damages (Building Back as was – BBaw), and b) reconstruction / rehabilitation incorporating the principles of Building Forward Better.