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

Across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, land is a scarceand valuable resource. The projected increase in land demand due todemographic trends, coupled with decreasing land supply due to climaticand governance factors, indicate a looming crisis happening at a timewhen the region is also facing dramatic social and political transformation.Reserves for land cultivation are almost exhausted, while total built-up areawill need to expand to accommodate high demographic growth. Yet, landremains inefficiently, inequitably, and unsustainably used. There are strongbarriers to land access for both firms and individuals. Firms resort to politicalconnections to access land, resulting in land misallocation. Women are 2 to3 times more likely to fear losing their property in the case of spousal deathor divorce, and their rights are not sufficiently supported by institutions andgender-imbalanced social norms. Refugees also face difficulties in accessingland; conflict in the region is causing the displacement of millions of peoplewho lack necessary housing, land, and property rights.This report identifies and analyzes the economic, environmental, and socialchallenges associated with land in MENA countries, shedding light on policyoptions to address them. It focuses on two main constraints—scarcity ofland and weak land governance—and how they affect land use and access,the resulting inefficiencies and inequities, and associated economic andsocial 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 ofopen data, transparency, and inclusive dialogue on land. These effortsare important steps that will contribute to renewing the social contract,accompany economic and digital transformation, and facilitate recovery andreconstruction in the region.