Includes bibliographical references

Part 1 Labor markets in the Middle East and North Africa: a low-productivity equilibrium -- 1. Inefficient and inequitable labor markets : a low-productivity equilibrium -- 2. Women, youth, and the working poor -- Part 2 Where are the barriers? -- 3. a long-term view of MENA's economic and labor markets -- 4. privileges, not competition: the dynamics of the private sector in the Middle East and North Africa -- 5. MENA's institutional framework: reinforcing the status quo -- 6. Unemployable and unemployed: skills gaps and a meritocracy deficit in MENA -- Part 3 Policy options -- 7. Aligning incentives to invest, innovate, and generate employment -- 8. Regulatory framework of the labor market: overcoming segmentation -- 9- Educational and training systems: realigning incentives for skills that matter and making employability count -- Part 4 The road ahead -- 10. The political economy of inclusion