Population

Countries in the Arab region have reached different stages of demographic transition, resulting in diverse demographic features for the region. This is owing to a wide range of country-specific social, economic, political, and cultural factors. Currently, region includes countries with markedly different population sizes, age-sex structures, growth rates, and population composition. These features are determined by the speed of change, namely fertility, mortality and international migration (including labour migration and war-related population displacements). Understanding demographic change is crucial from a policy perspective because it affects almost all aspect of life and has important implications for the labour market, economic growth, employment potential, housing needs and demand for education, health, and social services in any country. Reliable data on the size and structure of populations, as well as on components of demographic change are, therefore, essential for understanding various aspects of social and economic trends and for informing public-policy decisions at the national level. Such data are also important for measuring performance against internationally agreed development goals.

Related Subject(s): Economic and Social Development