This background paper provides an overview of the scope, drivers and consequences of child marriage in the Arab region. It also discusses the importance of estimating the cost of child marriage, examines the feasibility of undertaking a costing study in the Arab region, and reviews the availability of data needed to implement such a task, as well as the appropriate framework to consider when approaching costing child marriage in the region.

Economic integration is an important means to generate income and employment, to boost investment and to spur structural transformation toward more diversified and broad-based economic models. Services do not only satisfy domestic consumption and investment demands but are also exported and used as intermediate inputs and, through their vital impact on the productive efficiency of other sectors, services are a determining factor in a country’s  participation in international production networks. Coupled with the fact that the services sector tend to account for rather large and growing shares of output, employment, and foreign direct investment, services remain a key area in deeper regional economic integration efforts to reap sizable socio-economic benefits.

The objective of the Survey is to provide governments, and the general public with a snapshot of the current socioeconomic situation and the outlook for 2012.

As the United Nations enters its seventieth year, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) embarks on its fifth decade of work in the Arab region. Our role at ESCWA, however challenging in these tragic times, is to keep the long-term goals of development, integration and social justice alive and to create a prosperous and just future for all. The region has been shaken to the core. The casualty toll continues to mount and millions have been displaced and exiled.