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Land Matters

Can Better Governance and Management of Scarcity Prevent a Looming Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa?

Article image

Anna Corsi, Harris Selod

01 January 2023

World Bank Group

English

uKESA Librarian 2

Research report

Africa, Asia

Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the land is a scarce and valuable resource. The projected increase in land demand due to demographic trends, coupled with decreasing land supply due to climatic and governance factors, indicate a looming crisis happening at a time when the region is also facing dramatic social and political transformation. Reserves for land cultivation are almost exhausted, while the total built-up area will need to expand to accommodate high demographic growth. Yet, the land remains inefficiently, inequitably, and unsustainably used.

 

There are strong barriers to land access for both firms and individuals. Firms resort to political connections to access land, resulting in land misallocation. Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to fear losing their property in the case of spousal death or divorce, and their rights are not sufficiently supported by institutions and gender-imbalanced social norms. Refugees also face difficulties in accessing land; conflict in the region is causing the displacement of millions of people who lack necessary housing, land, and property rights.

 

This report identifies and analyzes the economic, environmental, and social challenges associated with land in MENA countries, shedding light on policy options to address them. It focuses on two main constraints—scarcity of land and weak land governance—and how they affect land use and access, the resulting inefficiencies and inequities, and associated economic and social costs. It highlights the need for MENA countries to think about land more holistically and to reassess the strategic trade-offs involving land while minimizing land distortions and serving economic development. It is also an attempt to fill major data gaps and promote a culture of open data, transparency, and inclusive dialogue on land. These efforts are important steps that will contribute to renewing the social contract, accompany economic and digital transformation, and facilitate recovery and reconstruction in the region.

 

Abstract based directly on original source.

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Algeria

Built environment

Construction

Economic growth

Economics

Egypt

Environmental impact

Gender equity in access to land

Governance

Government programmes

Housing

Inclusive cities

Israel

Land

Libya

Livelihoods

Morocco

Nigeria

Policy

Poverty & inequality

Rights

Sudan

Sustainability

Syria

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

Women

Yemen

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