The total population in the Middle East and Africa region was approximately million in 2018. It was expected to increase to million in 2030, and almost double by 2050 to reach about million.
Demographics
The Middle East and Africa region includes countries, which is approximately of six percent of the population of the world. The population is characterized with an above average fertility rate of , compared to the global fertility rate of . Due to the decrease in death rates due to the introduction of modern medicine, combined with the steady birth rates, the population of the MENA region is expected to continue growing in the future. Population growth might cause governmental burden in the future as governments try to decrease poverty rates, provide healthcare, and education to the larger number of people.
The Arab spring
In 2011, a series of demonstrations spread across many Arab countries to overthrow oppressive governments and dictators. It initiated from Tunisia, and spread to other countries including Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. The instability caused by the Arab spring affected international oil supply and prices, as the MENA region owns percent of the world’s oil reserves and percent of its natural gas reserves which makes it an important global economic stability factor. Some countries succeeded in overthrowing their oppressive governments, while other protests resulted in social violence and civil wars. The instability forced million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries. It was declared as the worst refugee crisis after World War II.