Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

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PRESS RELEASE

Signs of Improvement in the Economic Outlook for the MENAAP Region

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/10/07/signs-of-improvement-in-the-economic-outlook-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-pakistan-region

The latest World Bank economic report for MENAAP points to an improved economic outlook for the region, with expected growth reaching 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026.

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Press release

A New Regional Hub in Riyadh

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/09/22/world-bank-establishes-regional-hub-for-middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-in-riyadh

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PRESS RELEASE

Investments in People Can Help Future-Proof MENA

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/09/15/report-investments-in-people-can-help-future-proof-the-middle-east-north-africa-for-global-megatrends

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Explore Countries

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Lebanon
• Libya

• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria
• Tunisia
• West Bank and Gaza
• Yemen

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• Gulf Cooperation Council

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Growth prospects in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) are improving, in line with global trends, but conflict, fragility, and displacement remain persistent challenges. Regional GDP is projected to grow by 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, up from 2.3% in 2024, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Developing Oil Importers.

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region

MEA

BY THE NUMBERS: MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

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https://data.worldbank.org/region/middle-east-and-north-africa

Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan

Source

Dataset

Go to Data 360

WB_FSI_BX_KLT_DINV_CD_WD

Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$)

WB_WDI_SI_POV_DDAY

Poverty headcount ratio at 3ドル.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)

WB_WDI_EG_ELC_RNEW_ZS

Renewable electricity output (% of total electricity output)

WB_WDI_SL_TLF_CACT_FE_ZS

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)

WB_WDI_SE_ENR_PRSC_FM_ZS

School enrollment, primary and secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI)

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OUR PRIORITIES

IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

We are committed to working across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to help create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

Jobs

[画像:Children in Partner for People and the Planet]

The MENAAP region faces an immense jobs challenge. Your working-age population is growing far faster than jobs are being created. The region’s working-age population—now about 380 million—will increase by 40% over the next 25 years, but economic growth has been low and not job intensive. Our goal is more private sector jobs, faster.

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Water

[画像:Man listening on headset]

The World Bank is dedicated to supporting MENAAP countries in taking strong steps to ensure a water-secure future for their citizens. As a result, millions of people across the region are benefiting from improved services and a more secure water supply.

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Gender

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Supporting women’s progress goes beyond boosting the economy—it’s about building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

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THE LATEST FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICAN, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

Stay up to date with our latest findings from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

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CONNECT WITH US

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https://www.facebook.com/WorldBankMiddleEastNorthAfrica/

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World Bank Group Updates

The latest news, stories, data, and more from across the World Bank Group on pressing development issues.

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Regional Leadership

Ousmane Dione

https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/o/ousmane-dione

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Vice President, Middle East & North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP)

Roberta Gatti

https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/r/roberta-gatti

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Chief Economist, Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP)

Office of the Chief Economist

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MORE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

world-bank:content-type/report

MENAAP Economic Update : October 2025

https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-economic-update

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Growth in MENAAP is improving, with GDP projected at 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, up from 2.3% in 2024, driven by GCC and oil-importing countries despite ongoing conflicts.

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world-bank:content-type/report

MENA Economic Update: October 2024

https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/middle-east-and-north-africa-economic-update-archiveoctober2024

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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to grow at 2.2% in 2024, yet the outlook remains subdued amid heightened uncertainty.

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