This statistical file is mainly concerned with the external merchandise trade of Arab countries, which accounts for approximately 77% of the total trade of Arab goods and services due to the large share of oil and gas in the Arab foreign trade.

This statistical file is concerned with the latest available socio-economic data recognized by the United Nations and the World Bank as basic indicators to assess the process of development in the Arab countries and worldwide. Table 1 provides data on population and shows the ranking and values of Arab countries in the human development index (HDI) as well as in the inequality-adjusted human development index (IHDI). Tables 2–5 respectively follow up latest estimates on labour force, unemployment, poverty, education and illiteracy rates in Arab countries, while Table 6 concentrates on real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates and consumer price inflation statements. Table 7 gives figures on gross national income (GNI) per capita and the Gini index for income distribution, while Tables 8 and 9 respectively present indicators on health and social integration.

This statistical file is concerned with the issue of public debts in Arab countries. It assumes that public debt is a key source to fund the budget deficit in most Arab countries, and the rising public debt, particularly external debt, is increasingly becoming a concern for several countries in the region due to the pressure debt servicing might impose on these countries, which basically suffer an uncomfortable primary balance, in addition to the impact of crises in the region. Table 1 provides indicators on domestic public debts with ratios of debts to GDP, while Table 2 gives figures of external public debts with debt ratios to GDP. Table 3 provides estimates of total public debts with their ratios to GDP, while Tables 4 and 5 show figures of external public debt service, ratios of debt servicing to exports of goods and services and external public debt service ratios to Arab governments’ revenues respectively.

This statistical file is concerned with Arab government budgets as it assumes that the sharp drop in oil prices coupled with ongoing regional conflicts have caused significant deficits in the budgets of most Arab countries, especially Arab oil-exporting countries, where governments had to implement a wide range of fiscal reforms aiming at rationalizing public spending and enhancing public revenues. On the other hand, lower oil prices have eased pressures on public finance in Arab oil-importing countries, especially in light of the rising cost of energy subsidies. Yet, many of these countries had also to proceed with structural reforms to reduce fuel subsidies and control the budget. Tables 1 and 2 provide statements on government revenues and grants, including estimates of government revenues as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), while Tables 3–5 show hydrocarbon and tax revenues, including estimates of these revenues as a percentage of total public revenues. Tables 6 and 7 provide statements on government expenditures, including estimates of government expenditures as a percentage of GDP, while Tables 8 and 9 deal with the structure of expenditures, showing estimates of current and capital expenditures along with figures on the functional classification of current expenditures. Overall surplus/deficit figures for Arab government budgets along with projections of the general government fiscal balance are shown in Table 10.