The Euro-Mediterranean Network for Economic Studies – EMNES published its first infographic which is based on the research and conclusions presented at the EMNES Policy Paper “Female labour force participation and entrepreneurship: The missing pillar for inclusive and sustainable economic development in MENA?”, authored by: Rym Ayadi and Rim Mouelhi.
The paper highlights that despite substantial investment in women’s education in the MENA region and a significant increase in their educational attainment, women’s labour force participation remains very low. In 2017, Women’s Labour Force Participation (LFP) was averaging 21% in the MENA region, well below the OECD average of 51%. In 2015, the rate of Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) of women in MENA was equally low, compared to other regions average. Besides the underutilisation of skills acquired by educated women, low participation rates have additional consequences for individual women and their families, including a lack of financial autonomy and a degrading social status.
