Middle East and North Africa

Relatively stable world food prices in 2018 were a boon for all countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which, as net food importers, saw improvements in the region’s food affordability index. Global fuel prices also increased, but at a faster pace than food prices. The higher fuel prices reduced the pressure for economic reform in oil-exporting countries but increased the pressure for reform in the oil-importing countries, especially for reform of energy subsidies. Oil continues to shape development in the MENA region—along with issues related to finding employment for the region’s expanding youth population; arid, natural-resource challenged rural environments; and conflict.