Publication: Land Matters: Can Better Governance and Management of Scarcity Prevent a Looming Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa?
Date
2023
ISSN
Published
2023
Author(s)
Abstract
Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, 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 total built-up area
will need to expand to accommodate high demographic growth. Yet, 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.
Citation
“Corsi, Anna; Selod, Harris. 2023. Land Matters : Can Better Governance and Management of Scarcity Prevent a Looming Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa?. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/38384 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”