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Female Labor Force Participation in the Middle East and North Africa: Regional Trends and Lessons from Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Koettl, Johannes

    (World Bank)

  • Gomez Tamayo, Sofia

    (World Bank)

  • Alrayess, Dana

    (World Bank)

  • Fostier de Moraes, Gael

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

Female labor force participation (FLFP) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains the lowest globally, averaging just 19% in 2023 compared to a global average of 48%. Social norms, care responsibilities, restrictive legal frameworks, skills mismatches, and limited access to supportive infrastructure continue to act as barriers for women’s economic engagement. This paper examines the structural drivers behind these gaps and highlights the region’s heterogeneity in barriers, outcomes, and reform trajectories. The paper highlights Saudi Arabia as a case of rapid transformation. Between 2017 and 2023, FLFP more than doubled following legal reforms, deployment of active labor market programs, and effective communication initiatives. Key drivers of Saudi Arabia’s experience include expanded private-sector demand, sectoral diversification, and the correction of misperceived norms regarding women’s employment. The paper also identifies remaining constraints for Saudi Arabia, including childcare gaps, mobility barriers, and public-private employment preferences and proposes policy recommendations for MENA countries, including legal reforms, care-economy investments, flexible work arrangements, and norm-changing interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Koettl, Johannes & Gomez Tamayo, Sofia & Alrayess, Dana & Fostier de Moraes, Gael, 2026. "Female Labor Force Participation in the Middle East and North Africa: Regional Trends and Lessons from Saudi Arabia," IZA Discussion Papers 18632, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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