Arab World's armed forces personnel decline

Originally published here

Data shows that the percentage of armed forces personnel has declined over the past decade.

By Nehal ElSherif

The percentage of Armed Forces personnel of the total labour force in most Arab countries has decreased since 2000, according to data by the World Bank.

After the 2011 uprisings spread across the Arab World demanding political, economic and social changes, the militaries of the different countries came under spotlight.

As the region gets ready for the fifth anniversary of the mass protests in January, Arab army forces are in the headlines due to the newest alliance formed to combat terrorism in the region.

Jordan’s armed forces personnel showed the sharpest drop from a 12.2 per cent of the labour force in 2000 to 6.7 per cent in 2013.

Interactive table on Tableau here

“A number of these armed forces are being trained by or engaged in joint exercises with the US armed forces and the US has for many years been advocating the slimming down of Arab armies. The US thinks in terms of the most efficient fighting machines and cost-effectiveness,” said Rosemary Hollis, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at City University.

Other countries, including the oil-rich Gulf States, also showed a decrease in their percentages, though with a lower rate when compared to Jordan.

The reason, Hollis said, is that the Arab side tends to be influenced by factors different from the West.

“One reason is that the armed forces can be used as way to employ otherwise unemployed youth and potentially give opportunity for social mobility,” she added.

In Egypt, for example, the armed forces run a number of factories, and many people see it as more than just a fighting machine.

Meanwhile, Tunisia was the country with the lowest percentage in 2000 at 1.46 per cent of the total labour force. In 2013, it was 1.2 per cent.

Hollis said each state has a different aspect in terms of the traditional place of the armed forces within the country.

“In Tunisia, they are almost remarkable for not being a major factor in sustaining the state,” she added.

Unlike other countries, the army did not interfere when mass protests in 2011 forced then president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee the country.  Hollis expects that recent attacks targeting tourists would prompt the US and European countries to help Tunisia “boost the security sector as opposed to increasing the number of armed forces personnel.”

Data for the West Bank and Gaza was only available between 2005 and 2012. Also, data was missing for Libya in 2010-2011.

Link to interactive graph with 18 countries 

Data source: World Bank

Suez Canal revenues lowest in 10 months

By Nehal ElSherif

Egypt's Suez Canal revenue fell in November to US$408.4 million, the lowest since February, according to data on the Suez Canal Authority’s website.

Original graph for monthly revenue in 2015 on Tableau here

Female life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa lowest despite regional growth

By Nehal ElSherif

Sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest life expectancy for women since 1960, despite a growing economy and a decreasing poverty rate.

Data shows that life expectancy at birth for women was 58 years in 2013.

Data shows different regions on geographical and political divisions. The red shows the lowest age average and the dark green shows the highest. 

The United Nations said this week that there were significant developments in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet to improve further the region must address wide inequalities and provide better opportunities for women.

Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced the fastest annual growth rates in the Human Development Index (HDI) among all regions since 2000, though women still need better access to work, health and education.

“Africa is experiencing higher levels of wellbeing and economic growth. Now governments must focus on better working conditions to improve lives and livelihoods, supporting the creation of jobs to sustain people and communities, and providing preconditions for greater labour participation by women and young people,” said Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa.

Botswana had the lowest age average in 2013 at 46.6. It was also the only state where the age decreased by 11 per cent when compared to 1960.

These numbers show that there are still many challenges in the region despite economic growth that reached 4.6 per cent in 2014, growing faster than Europe, Central Asia and Latin America. Also, the poverty rate in Africa fell from 56 per cent in 1990 to 43 per cent in 2012.

Data source: World Bank - there was no available data for around 15 countries including Greenland, this is why it is not available on the map. Other countries such as Israel, data for some years in between 1960 and 2013 were not available.

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