Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries spend, on average, 6 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on general subsidies: 4.6 and 1.4 percent of their GDP on fuel and food subsidies respectively. On the other hand, MENA countries spend a mere 0.7% of their GDP on targeted social safety nets (SSNs), most of which are fragmented and display poor targeting and low coverage. Many MENA governments are seeking to establish integrated SP systems that protect the poor and vulnerable, all while being fiscally sustainable. What challenges are they facing? And what actions have been taken to address them?

Video produced by By World Bank, French Development Agency and the Center for Mediterranean Integration.