The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) - A Definition

What Is MENA？

MENA is an acronym for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The region is typically considered to include around 19 countries, but the definition can be stretched to include up to 24. The MENA region accounts for approximately 6% of the world`s population, according to World Atlas, along with 60% of the world`s oil reserves, and 45% of the world`s natural gas reserves. Due to the region's substantial petroleum and natural gas reserves, MENA is an important source of global economic resources.

Significant MENA Economy

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, by far the largest economy in the MENA region, had a gross domestic product of US $ 792,970 million in 2019, according to Statista. According to the CIA World Factbook, the country relies heavily on oil and natural gas, which accounts for about 90% of the country's export revenues. Saudi Arabia has announced efforts to reduce its reliance on oil exports by investing in the technology and tourism sector, despite managing the world's second-largest proven oil reserves.

Iran Islamic Republic

Iran is the second-largest economy in the MENA region, despite strict sanctions that make it difficult for exporters to obtain foreign exchange. Like Saudi Arabia, oil exports are more diversified than many other Middle Eastern oil exporters, but they play an important role in the country's economy.

Israel

GDP in 2019 is the US $ 395 billion, making Israel the fourth-largest economy in the MENA region. Unlike many of its neighbors, Israel is not an energy exporter. Instead, the economy is primarily focused on industrial production, diamond cutting, and high tech. Despite being a relatively advanced industrialized country with a high average income, Israel's position is complicated by several wars with neighboring countries and the continued occupation of Palestinian territory.

Egypt

With a GDP of US $ 320 billion in 2019, Egypt is the largest economy in North Africa, but the fifth largest economy in the entire MENA region. After the expulsion of President Hosni Mubarak in the 2011 Arab Spring protests, the Egyptian economy embarked on major market reforms to help attract foreign investment and tackle domestic unemployment. In addition to hydrocarbons, Egypt is a major exporter of textiles and agricultural products.

MENA FAQ What does

What does MENA stand for？

MENA stands for the Middle East and North Africa, with Iran in the east and the country between Tunisia and Morocco in the west. Which country belongs to the

MENA region？

There is no clear definition of the countries that belong to the MENA region, but it is usually thought to include at least Algeria, Bahrain, Jibuchi, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Oman. .. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Yemen. Ethiopia, Sudan, Malta, Somalia, Western Sahara, and Mauritania are also sometimes included.

What Are the Countries in the Middle East？

The Middle East is generally considered to include the countries on or near the Arabian Peninsula, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are often grouped with the Middle East, but they are not typically included in considerations of the MENA region.

Which Countries Make up North Africa？

North African countries typically include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. The term can also be extended to include some or all of Western Sahara, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia.

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