Family life and the demographic transition in MENA countries: implications for social policy

What is it about?

This paper examines recent changes in population and family structures in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, showing trends similar to those seen in more developed countries, known as the second demographic transition. These trends include falling birth rates and longer life expectancy, which lead to more elderly people depending on a smaller working-age population. The study looks at how these shifts call for new family-focused policies and evaluates how well current social protection measures in the MENA region are keeping up, especially in light of new challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the growing need to enhance support systems to care for an aging population effectively.

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Photo by Sebastian Meier on Unsplash

Photo by Sebastian Meier on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is distinctive due to its rigorous analysis of demographic transitions within the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions, which are frequently overlooked in scholarly demographic discourse. It examines the implications of the second demographic transition—characterized by declining fertility rates and increasing life expectancy—that parallels trends observed in OECD countries. The research is particularly timely as it assesses the emergent demands on social protection frameworks heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic’s additional pressures. This scholarly work addresses critical gaps in our understanding of regional demographic shifts and their policy implications, making it essential reading for academics, policymakers, and practitioners involved in demographic studies and social policy planning.

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