Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Diversification strategies for the Gulf monarchies

For the Gulf monarchies, the only long-term solution to lower oil prices is to diversify the economy, which can be ...


Job creation and labour market regulation: flexibility versus security

Job creation in the formal private sector is vital for inclusive economic growth in many MENA countries, but in some ...


Universal primary care lowers mortality: evidence from Turkey

In 2005, Turkey extended basic healthcare services to its entire population under a free-of-charge, centrally administered system. This column reports ...


Putting human security at the heart of public policy-making

Governments’ core objective of providing a secure environment for their people is traditionally understood to mean ‘national security’. This column ...


Transition lessons from China for MENA development

How can developing economies escape from the trap of middle- or low-income status in which the majority has been for ...


Implications of the current low oil prices for MENA countries

The current low oil price environment, in part driven by the US shale oil revolution, has important macroeconomic implications for ...


It’s time to stop the civil war in Syria

Since 2011, the conflict in Syria has created more refugees and more internally displaced persons than anywhere else in the ...


Why Turkish growth ended

Following a period of rapid economic growth, the Turkish economy has slowed significantly since 2007. This column argues that these ...