While the country has made progress in recent years in  terms of economic growth and diversification, unemployment  rates remain high (6%), particularly among young  people aged 15-29 (10.1%) and women (7%, as compared  to 4.9% for men). Furthermore, many workers  continue to work in the informal sector without adequate  social protection, and there are significant disparities in  wages and working conditions across different industries  and regions. MSMEs and social enterprises, including  women-owned businesses, face significant challenges  such as limited access to finance (only 8.2% of enterprises  have access to credit, according to the World Bank’s  Enterprise Survey 2021), insufficient skills and knowledge  to adapt to the changing business environment, and regulatory  hurdles. Agriculture remains the primary source of  income for many rural households, but the sector is often  characterized by low productivity, outdated technology,  and limited market access.  In 2022, the UN continued to work with national partners  to address these challenges through programs aimed at  promoting job creation and improving labour market  outcomes, targeted support for MSMEs, vocational education  and training and targeted support in rural value  chain development.

© WHO /Anar Bayramli/2022

A little girl symbolically "kicks away diseases'' by receiving vaccinations at the #Eurovillage 2022 festival-a stand displaying EU-UN collaboration on promoting public health and wellness.