North African countries still under pressure. - Three years after the beginning of the “Arab Spring”, North African countries are still in a precarious situation. The economic climate is sluggish and reform chaotic, despite the ever increasing demographic pressure in the region. According to IMF forecasts, Tunisia and Algeria are expected to record growth rates of 3.7% this year, whilst Morocco will achieve 3.8% and Egypt 3.3%. Only one country in the region is expected to achieve really robust growth: Libya which, despite its worsening security situation, is expected to see its GDP grow by 15% this year, following last year's 25%. The spectacular growth can be explained by the extremely low level of its GDP during the civil war of 2012. (IL/transl.fl)