Unemployment rates among women in the MENA region are the highest in the world, both in absolute terms and relative to unemployment rates for men.  The differences may be due to labor supply pressures, public sector employment policies, social norms, discrimination in the private sector, or other factors.  This research tries to explain these differences using cross-country data and household survey data from Egypt and Syria (which have among the highest gender differences in the world.) 

   Dr. Kabbani's research interests are mainly in the areas of education and training programs, youth employment and the school-to-work transition, and hunger and food assistance.  He received a Ph.D. in Economics from Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and worked for the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture before joining AUB.  He has published several articles in edited volumes and international journals, including the Journal of Human Resources and Teachers College Record.