LocationsSocio-economic impact of COVID-19
The UN’s Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response to the COVID 19 Crisis warns that “The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it is affecting societies and economies at their core. While the impact of the pandemic will vary from country to country, it will most likely increase poverty and inequalities at a global scale, making achievement of SDGs even more urgent.
The COVID-19 pandemic is far more than a health crisis: it is affecting societies and economies at their core. While the impact of the pandemic will vary from country to country socially and economically, it will most likely increase poverty and inequalities at a global scale, making achievement of SDGs even more urgent.
Assessing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on societies, economies and vulnerable groups is fundamental to inform and tailor the responses of governments and partners to recover from the crisis and ensure that no one is left behind in this effort.
UNDP is taking the leadership to assess the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies and communities.
According to UNESCWA report, Arab youth unemployment rate has increased from 19.5 to 23% between 2012 and 2020. Unemployment rate among young Arab women is more than twice that of young men, reaching 42.1%. About 85.1% of young working-age in the Arab region work in the informal sector, with limited or no access to social and health insurance or credit facilities. The post-COVID-19 job market will demand a new set of skills, which may not be compatabile with the majority of the 1.5 million young people who enter the informal sector yearly. Young people who live in underprivileged areas are the most vulnerable to be left behind, and their prospects of receiving training are currently non-existent given the protracted shutdown.
Learn more about COVID19 Socio- economic impact assessments in the Arab region
Ahmad, Mohamed & Ali from Aleppo testing the portable aerosol applicator
Photo Credits: UNDP Syria
Briefs and Reports
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Compounding Crises: Will COVID-19 and Lower Oil Prices Prompt a New Development Paradigm in the Arab Region?
This report offers a regional-level reference for discussion and analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on development across the Arab States. It also suggests integrated and sectoral policy responses at the country and regional levels.
