Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
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PRESS RELEASE
Signs of Improvement in the Economic Outlook for the MENAAP Region
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/10/07/signs-of-improvement-in-the-economic-outlook-for-the-middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-pakistan-region

The latest World Bank economic report for MENAAP points to an improved economic outlook for the region, with expected growth reaching 2.8 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026.

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Press release
A New Regional Hub in Riyadh
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/09/22/world-bank-establishes-regional-hub-for-middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-in-riyadh
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PRESS RELEASE
Investments in People Can Help Future-Proof MENA
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/09/15/report-investments-in-people-can-help-future-proof-the-middle-east-north-africa-for-global-megatrends
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THE WORLD BANK GROUP IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

Regional Economic Update: October 2025

Growth prospects in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) are improving, in line with global trends, but conflict, fragility, and displacement remain persistent challenges. Regional GDP is projected to grow by 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, up from 2.3% in 2024, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Developing Oil Importers.
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region
MEA

BY THE NUMBERS: MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

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https://data.worldbank.org/region/middle-east-and-north-africa
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Source
Dataset
Go to Data 360
WB_FSI_BX_KLT_DINV_CD_WD
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$)
WB_WDI_SI_POV_DDAY
Poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)
WB_WDI_EG_ELC_RNEW_ZS
Renewable electricity output (% of total electricity output)
WB_WDI_SL_TLF_CACT_FE_ZS
Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)
WB_WDI_SE_ENR_PRSC_FM_ZS
School enrollment, primary and secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI)
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OUR PRIORITIES
IN THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN
We are committed to working across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan to help create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

Jobs

Children in Partner for People and the Planet

The MENAAP region faces an immense jobs challenge. Your working-age population is growing far faster than jobs are being created. The region’s working-age population—now about 380 million—will increase by 40% over the next 25 years, but economic growth has been low and not job intensive.  Our goal is more private sector jobs, faster.

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Water

Man listening on headset

The World Bank is dedicated to supporting MENAAP countries in taking strong steps to ensure a water-secure future for their citizens. As a result, millions of people across the region are benefiting from improved services and a more secure water supply.

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Gender

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Supporting women’s progress goes beyond boosting the economy—it’s about building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

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THE LATEST FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICAN, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

Stay up to date with our latest findings from the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

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See all News

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See all Research & Publications

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CONNECT WITH US

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https://www.facebook.com/WorldBankMiddleEastNorthAfrica/
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https://x.com/WorldBankMENA

Regional Leadership

Ousmane Dione
https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/o/ousmane-dione
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Vice President, Middle East & North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP)
Roberta Gatti
https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/people/r/roberta-gatti
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Chief Economist, Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MENAAP)

Office of the Chief Economist

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Regional Contact

World Bank
1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433 USA
mnateam@worldbank.org

All Regional Contacts

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MORE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA, AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN
world-bank:content-type/report
MENAAP Economic Update : October 2025
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/middle-east-north-africa-afghanistan-and-pakistan-economic-update
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Growth in MENAAP is improving, with GDP projected at 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, up from 2.3% in 2024, driven by GCC and oil-importing countries despite ongoing conflicts.
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world-bank:content-type/report
MENA Economic Update: October 2024
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/publication/middle-east-and-north-africa-economic-update-archiveoctober2024
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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is expected to grow at 2.2% in 2024, yet the outlook remains subdued amid heightened uncertainty.
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