Preface

Boosted by rising oil prices, the ESCWA region continues to record high rates of economic growth for the sixth consecutive year. It also continues to record the highest rate of unemployment globally and an even higher rate of capital export. In a region that is vastly undercapitalized, the retention of capital and labour is vital for the development process. It is for this reason that the current issue of the Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the ESCWA Region builds on the two previous issues in addressing these pervasive topics in line with rights-based, pro-poor and employment-intensive economic strategies.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development