The Economic Impact of Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa

By Bjoern Rother, Gaelle Pierre, Davide Lombardo, Risto Herrala, Priscilla Toffano, Erik Roos, Allan G Auclair, Karina Manasseh

September 16, 2016

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Bjoern Rother, Gaelle Pierre, Davide Lombardo, Risto Herrala, Priscilla Toffano, Erik Roos, Allan G Auclair, and Karina Manasseh. The Economic Impact of Conflicts and the Refugee Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2016) accessed December 21, 2024

Disclaimer: This Staff Discussion Note represents the views of the authors and does not necessarily represent IMF views or IMF policy. The views expressed herein should be attributed to the authors and not to the IMF, its Executive Board, or its management. Staff Discussion Notes are published to elicit comments and to further debate.

Summary

In recent decades, the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) has experienced more frequent and severe conflicts than in any other region of the world, exacting a devastating human toll. The region now faces unprecedented challenges, including the emergence of violent non-state actors, significant destruction, and a refugee crisis bigger than any since World War II. This paper raises awareness of the economic costs of conflicts on the countries directly involved and on their neighbors. It argues that appropriate macroeconomic policies can help mitigate the impact of conflicts in the short term, and that fostering higher and more inclusive growth can help address some of the root causes of conflicts over the long term. The paper also highlights the crucial role of external partners, including the IMF, in helping MENA countries tackle these challenges.

Subject: Banking, Education, Inflation, Infrastructure, Labor, Labor markets, National accounts, Population and demographics, Prices

Keywords: Central bank, Conflict country, Conflicts, Country authorities, East Africa, Economic activity, Economic spillovers, Europe, Financial support, Global, Growth potential, IMF staff calculation, Inflation, Infrastructure, International community, Labor markets, Macroeconomic policy, MENA conflict country, MENA country, MENA region, Middle East, Middle East and North Africa, North Africa, Physical capital, Post-conflict reconstruction, Refugee crisis, Refugees, SDN

Publication Details

Pages:

43
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Staff Discussion Notes No. 2016/008
Stock No:

SDNEA2016008
ISBN:

9781475535785
ISSN:

2617-6750

Notes

Blog: The Calculus of Conflict in the Middle East

Executive Summary in Arabic

Watch the Video: English | Arabic | French

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