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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2009
The Arab region is generally thought of as wealthy, being the recipient of a large income from oil. In reality, oil wealth is confined to a small minority of states and peoples; most of the region's population are poor.
This paper discusses the employment pattern and future problems of the six poorest countries of the Arab region: Syria, Jordan, Sudan, South Yemen (Peoples' Democratic Republic of Yemen), Egypt, and North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic).
Authors' note: Views expressed in this paper do not necessarily represent those of the International Labour Office (Geneva) nor of any other organisation with which the authors have been or are associated. The authors alone are responsible for what is written here.
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17 One exception to the general argument put forward here is the possibility that as a consequence of the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel, the former country demobilize the army.
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