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Inequality of opportunity and (unequal) opportunities in the youth labour market: How is the Arab world different?

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  • Ralitza DIMOVA
  • Karim STEPHAN

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) labour market is emblematic of widespread youth unemployment and high discouragement rates, experiencing disproportionately high levels of unemployment among educated young people. Using ILO School‐to‐Work Transition Surveys for Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia, the authors explore whether this is related to inequality of opportunity or to deeper structural characteristics that create a mismatch between skill demand and supply on the labour market. The low availability of high‐skilled jobs and the low value placed on skills gained through the system of vocational training are found to have high explanatory power.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralitza DIMOVA & Karim STEPHAN, 2020. "Inequality of opportunity and (unequal) opportunities in the youth labour market: How is the Arab world different?," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 159(2), pages 217-242, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intlab:v:159:y:2020:i:2:p:217-242
    DOI: 10.1111/ilr.12144
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Junjie Gao & Lyubing Feng & Xianguo Yao, 2021. "Information Transmission Mechanism of Inequality of Opportunity and Effort on Settlement Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.

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