The International Monetary Fund expects the average economic growth in the Arab countries to be lower than 4 percent in 2014, a modest figure that is not enough to reduce the high unemployment rates.

There has been growing interest in the role that minimum wage plays in achieving social justice, through improving the living standards of low-income workers and reducing inequality in the distribution of income among various segments of society.

No noticeable progress has been made in dealing with the key economic factors that ignited the Arab uprisings. The cost of inaction may be huge if these countries fail in their transitions and slide into violence and extremism.

Although Algeria has the third largest oil reserves and second largest natural gas reserves in Africa, most Algerians complain of worsening social and economic challenges.

Delaying economic diversification exacerbates the crises Arab countries face, especially rising unemployment and fluctuating growth.

Some Arab countries should adopt industrial policies that promote the acquisition of technical and technological knowledge, to boost productivity and make them more competitive.

Arab economies are plagued by unemployment, informal unprotected work, and income disparities. Policymakers need to set the conditions to create productive and inclusive societies and lift the region out of poverty.

Women in the Middle East and North Africa continue to struggle to gain access to job opportunities and remain vulnerable to poverty.

Algeria’s scheme to help hold off social unrest by redistributing substantial oil wealth cannot be sustained indefinitely. The regime must reform or face collapse.

Although Arab states have made admirable progress in reducing the gap between men and women in areas such as access to education and health care, more female participation in the region’s political and economic life is still needed.