Scars of conflict are deeper and longer lasting in Middle East and Central Asia

The negative economic effects of conflicts are larger and more persistent, partly reflecting a sharper impact of higher-intensity conflicts in these regions. Economies across the Middle East and Central Asia are more affected by conflicts—even a decade after a severe conflict, their income per capita remains about 10 percent lower.

The idea that violent conflict reduces economic output is uncontroversial. However, the repercussions are notably harsher and longer lasting in these regions than in most others, as IMF shows in a chapter of our latest Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and Central Asia.

A year after the start of a severe conflict, countries in these regions lost about 2 percent in real GDP per capita compared to before the conflict, with the decline extending to about 10 percent after a decade. Countries elsewhere, by contrast, typically have a similar drop after the first year, of about 2 percent, but then largely recover after the fifth year, as the Chart of the Week shows.

The worse effects seen in the Middle East and Central Asia, among the world’s most conflict-prone areas, likely reflect sharper effects from higher-intensity conflicts (which are more frequent in these regions) and the prevalence of exacerbating preexisting conditions. For example, the findings suggest that countries with weaker institutions tend to suffer larger losses than other countries. Conflicts not only impact the countries directly involved but can also have knock-on effects on other countries, with the impact varying based on the channel of exposure.

The effects of conflicts stretch well beyond economics, causing immense human suffering, death, and increased fragility and food insecurity. Strong institutions and economic fundamentals (such as room in government budgets to respond to humanitarian and social needs) can help buffer an economy against the impact.