Charting economies of extreme contrast


Issue 1000 - 22 Sep 2015 | 3 minute read

The Gulf monarchies include the world’s wealthiest jurisdictions, including Qatar – with per capita GDP of $81,602 (see table below) – and Abu Dhabi. But poverty is apparent in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)’s less affluent regions – in areas of Bahrain, Oman and the northern emirates, not to mention poorer districts of Saudi cities. Huge economic disparities widen further when Yemen and other neighbours are taken into account. These disparities are adding to societal tensions, as reflected in the current debate over GCC members’ contributions to easing refugee pressures.

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