Report

Economic and Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Middle East and North Africa

| December 2022

Overview

Between October 2020 and May 2021, the Middle East Initiative conducted a series of nationally representative surveys to measure the economic, social, and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.1 Designed and supervised by Tarek Masoud, Faculty Director of the Middle East Initiative, and Yuree Noh, Research Fellow, the surveys collected responses from 8,500 residents of seven countries in the region—Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. Our goal is to provide the data and insights needed to develop effective policy responses to current and future public health crises.

This report summarizes our findings on how COVID-19 has disrupted employment, mental health, food security, education, and childcare in the region during its first year. We also show that the consequences of the pandemic were felt most acutely by some of the region’s most vulnerable populations: the poor, women, youth, and children.

Downloads

For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Noh, Yuree, Mitsuru Mukaigawara and Sumaya Malas. “Economic and Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Middle East and North Africa.” , December 2022.

The Authors

Recommended
In the Spotlight
RSS
How important is saving face in a nation’s major decision-making? Sahar Nowrouzzadeh examines the role of face-saving measures in reaching the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.
Instigating a race between the U.S., China, and others to meet climate financing needs of countries in Africa and elsewhere will catapult us to a new level of climate action, writes Meghan O'Sullivan.
Using the influential Belfer Center journal “International Security” as an example, Sean Lynn-Jones explores ways articles can influence national security policy by advancing new or challenging old ideas.
Most Viewed

Tags