Middle East and North Africa

The most populous Arab nation and Africa's third largest economy, Egypt has been blighted by political turmoil in recent years.

Over the past 10 years, Jordan has pursued structural reforms in education and health and has improved social protection systems.

Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait holds the status of being one of the most democratic countries in its region in terms of civil liberties and political rights.

Tunisia enjoys the second-highest human development score in Africa. Since the one-party regime was overthrown in late 2011, the country has embarked on a tortuous transition towards democracy.

Yemen is one of the world’s least developed countries. Since unification in 1990, Yemen enacted a series of reforms to stabilize the economy and promote development; nevertheless, poverty remains widespread and the state apparatus is weak.