Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

Author/Editor:

Dalia S Hakura

Publication Date:

April 1, 2004

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper analyzes the weak growth performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during 1980-2000 using an empirical model of long-run growth. The relative importance of the factors affecting growth is shown to vary across 16 MENA countries. In GCC countries, where oil revenues are significant, large governments appear to have been a key factor stifling private-sector growth and impeding diversification. In other MENA countries poor institutional quality has held back growth. Political instability is also shown to have played a role. While the MENA region's growth differential with east Asia is explained well in the 1980s, this is less so in the 1990s.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2004/056

Subject:

Commodities Government consumption Income International trade National accounts Oil Production Terms of trade Total factor productivity

English

Publication Date:

April 1, 2004

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451847734/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0562004

Pages:

37

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