One-third of Arab population lives in poverty: ESCWA
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) – One-third of the Arab population lives below the poverty line, a UN body said on Saturday.
A report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said that poverty has increased in the Arab countries and is now affecting 130 million people.
Unemployment in the Arab region registered the highest rate in the world in 2022 at 12%.
“There may be a very slight decrease in 2023 to 11.7 percent,” ESCWA said.
According to the UN commission, the region’s economy is expected to grow by 4.5% in 2023 and 3.4% in 2024 despite the disruption of the global economy’s recovery.
Ahmed Moummi, the lead author of ESCWA’s report, said despite the region’s positive growth outlook, there are significant discrepancies among countries, which were exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.
“The current situation presents an opportunity for oil-exporting Arab countries to diversify their economies away from the energy sector by accumulating reserves and investing in projects that generate inclusive growth and sustainable development,” he said.
ESCWA is one of the five UN regional commissions. It supports inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Arab States.
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