How is the Eastern Mediterranean considered a part of the Middle East? How would the region's dry climate affect where people lived? What would happen if the region's people did not have access to water? (Different questions by the way)

Say a certain manufacturing industry has 63.1 thousand jobs in 2008, but is expected to decline at an average annual rate of 1.7 thousand jobs per year from 2008 to 2018. assuming this holds true, what will be this industry’s percent change from 2008 to 2018? a. 70% b. -27% c. -17% d. -75%