ESCWA Publication: E/ESCWA/CL2.GPID/2025/Policy brief.5
Country: Union of the Comoros, Arab Republic of Egypt, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Federal Republic of Somalia, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Yemen
Publication Type: Policy briefs
Cluster: Gender Justice, Population and Inclusive Development
Focus Area: Inclusive development
Initiatives: Monitoring money-metric poverty, Addressing multidimensional poverty
SDGs: Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Keywords: Comoros, Drinking water, Education, Egypt, Energy services, Health, Housing conditions, Jordan, Nutrition, Poverty, Public services, Sanitation, Somalia, Standard of living, Statistical data, Tunisia, Yemen, Technical cooperation
Multidimensional poverty reduction: an unaccomplished mission in several Arab countries
June 2025
Building on the second Arab Multidimensional Poverty Report (2023), this policy brief offers a critical update on the state of multidimensional poverty in selected Arab countries. Drawing on recent survey data from three Arab middle-income countries, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, and three least developed countries (LDCs), Comoros, Mauritania, and Yemen, the brief highlights nuanced and often persistent challenges.
The brief reveals that while some progress has been made in certain areas, multidimensional poverty in several Arab countries, particularly LDCs, has remained alarmingly high or seen only marginal reductions over the past decade. It underscores an urgent need for policymakers to intensify efforts in key areas such as education, essential public services, and basic living conditions. This brief provides critical, data-driven insights for stakeholders to address the complex and varying challenges of multidimensional poverty, advocating for targeted interventions and sustained efforts to foster equitable development across the Arab region.
Related content
Inclusive development
Building on the second Arab Multidimensional Poverty Report (2023), this policy brief offers a critical update on the state of multidimensional poverty in selected Arab countries. Drawing on recent survey data from three Arab middle-income countries, Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, and three least developed countries (LDCs), Comoros, Mauritania, and Yemen, the brief highlights nuanced and often persistent challenges.
The brief reveals that while some progress has been made in certain areas, multidimensional poverty in several Arab countries, particularly LDCs, has remained alarmingly high or seen only marginal reductions over the past decade. It underscores an urgent need for policymakers to intensify efforts in key areas such as education, essential public services, and basic living conditions. This brief provides critical, data-driven insights for stakeholders to address the complex and varying challenges of multidimensional poverty, advocating for targeted interventions and sustained efforts to foster equitable development across the Arab region.
