CAIRO: The International Monitory Fund (IMF) said many Middle Eastern countries suffer from crises, including political suppression, irresolvable economic problems, and an increased unemployment rate for youth. A report issued by Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) of Egypt's Cabinet said the statistics on Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Moroccan, Syrian and Tunisian labor markets indicate the average unemployment rate of the last 20 years was 12 percent, although there has been economic growth in past eight years. The unemployment rate reached in 11 percent in 2008, which was the highest regional rate all over the world. The report said the new employees rate in the region went up 48 percent. This ratio is lower than any other regions. According to the report, unemployment is concentrated among youth between the ages of 15 and 24. The unemployment rate for these youth in Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia reached 40 percent, while in Egypt and Syria this rate went up to 60 percent. The unemployment rate exceeded 15 percent among educated youth and graduates in Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan. As a result of this high unemployment, these countries must bear major social and economic costs. The immigration rate has also increased to 16 percent. The numbers of laborers abroad could also decrease due to the major increase in the unemployment rate in developed countries, said the report. Therefore, the region faces a great challenge to create job opportunities.
