Downturn pressures Mideast jobs market

The global economic slowdown could ignite a new jobs crisis in the Middle East as demographic pressures reach all-time highs, placing unprecedented strain on the region’s labour markets, a new report says.

The report by the Middle East Youth Initiative says that in spite of the recent oil boom youth unemployment levels in the Middle East have remained the highest among developing regions, with the aggregate unemployment rate for 15 to 24-year-olds at nearly 25 per cent, compared with a world average of 14 per cent.

It adds that education systems – which have long been in dire need of reform – have continued to be unsuccessful in preparing young workings for competitive labour markets, while warning that the downturn could set back much-needed back labour reforms.