A United Nations report has revealed that Gaza’s reconstruction after the recent military conflict involving Hamas could take centuries, even under the most optimistic scenarios. The report released by the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) suggests that Gaza’s recovery to its pre-October 7, 2023, economic state might take up to 350 years.
The study indicates that even if hostilities were to end immediately and the territory reverted to its fragile pre-conflict condition, significant hurdles remain. The region has seen severe economic decline, and according to Rami Alazzeh, the report's author, the slow growth trend from 2007 to 2022 is a critical factor. During that period, Gaza's growth rate averaged just 0.4% annually. At this rate, Alazzeh states, it could take 350 years for Gaza to reach its previous GDP levels.
“The message is that Gaza's recovery depends on the conditions in which it occurs,” Alazzeh said. “We’re not suggesting it will take 350 years because that would mean Gaza never recovers, but the path ahead is highly uncertain.”
Even under favorable conditions, such as an end to military operations, unrestricted movement of goods and people, and substantial investment, the report estimates that Gaza’s GDP per capita might only return to 2022 levels by 2050, given a 10% annual growth rate. The region also faces a 2.8% population growth rate, complicating efforts to improve living standards.
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