His success story reflects the innovative spirit prevalent among the youth in the Middle East and North Africa—and his startup is already showing significant growth. Radhi’s achievements are emblematic of a broader demographic shift sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa, known as MENA. This period of high fertility, coupled with improved child survival rates, resulted in a substantial youth population by the turn of the century. According to the International Labor Organization, the youth unemployment rate in the region is projected to be 25.5% in 2024, more than three times higher than the adult unemployment rate, and significantly above the global youth unemployment rate. This led to a compound effect: a large number of potential parents coupled with a higher fertility rate.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 06, 2024 15:18 UTC