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The population of the Middle East is expected to double in size during the first half of the 21st century. Such a population surge will be accompanied by a historic shift in age structure, shaped by falling fertility and rising longevity, as well as continued urbanisation and increased mobility. In this talk, Valeria Cetorelli discusses the scale and nature of demographic change in different Middle Eastern countries, and looks at key policy implications. By examining demographic trends within the context of each country’s current capacity to meet the needs of its population, she identifies where efforts must be intensified to deliver social services to growing numbers of people and where population factors can offer opportunities to foster progress in sustainable development.

Valeria Cetorelli is Research Officer at the LSE Middle East Centre. Her research revolves around the political and social determinants of population health.

Tim Dyson is Professor of Population Studies in the Department of International Development at LSE.

The LSE Middle East Centre (@LSEMiddleEast) builds on LSE's long engagement with the Middle East and North Africa and provides a central hub for the wide range of research on the region carried out at LSE.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #LSECetorelli.