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Oman is one of the many Middle Eastern countries that has experienced great change over the last half century.

Lebanon, once a wealthy country and a centre for trade and finance, is currently experiencing some tough times. Financial mismanagement, a lack of consistent government and a failure to implement reforms which would allow outside aid have plunged the country into an economic crisis.

The Kingdom of Jordan has long had issues with a lack of affordable housing, mainly due to its rapidly increasing population; although the country itself is politically stable, its proximity to areas of conflict and turmoil have led to the influx of large numbers of refugees, which have strained the country’s resources.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is one of the Gulf’s current success stories. With a population which has tripled in size over the last twenty years, steady GDP growth, and a low tax burden, the country has become a popular area for outside investment. With cheaper office space than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, many international firms are now based in Bahrain, and it has become a hub for banking and financial services. Although the country suffered more than some in the 2014 oil price crash, since 85% of government revenues come from oil, the Kingdom has made efforts to diversify over the last few years and now has a growing tourist industry.