Exposure to shocks reduces households’ economic resilience. While all households are negatively affected by various shocks, poor households are more likely to be exposed to different risks. This chapter uses the 2018 round of the Egypt Labor Market Panel Survey (ELMPS) to examine the nature of shocks experienced by households in different socio-economic groups and the ex-post coping mechanisms that they adopted. The results show that almost a quarter of the Egyptian households experienced food insecurity either solely or in combination with shocks. Economic shocks were the most common distress followed by health shocks during the year preceding the ELMPS interview. Households used consumption rationing or depended on their social capital as a coping mechanism. Households whose heads had less education, worked in the informal private sector or agriculture, or were self-employed were more likely to have experienced a shock. Households residing in rural areas, particularly in Upper Egypt, or with large families were more vulnerable to shocks.

Social protection policies can help address the multifaceted nature of child poverty and improve childrens well-being, especially in the areas of education, health and nutrition. Providing adequate social protection to children is particularly relevant in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as multidimensional child poverty remains a major concern in the region. Moreover, a large share of the population of MENA will soon transition into their most productive age, clearing the way for a demographic dividend. This demographic transition presents a unique opportunity for economic growth in the region, due to its larger-than-usual share of working-age adults. (...)

Child poverty remains an issue of concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Although the region has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty and improving health, education and child survival rates, progress has been uneven. Higher-income countries have advanced more than lower-middle-income ones, and those impacted by humanitarian conflicts have seen reversals in child well-being indicators. (...)