The United Arab Emirates is the most preferred country to live in for young Arabs, according to the results of a new survey on the attitudes of thousands of GCC citizens. Although young people are concerned about the current cost of living and unemployment rates across the country, they still rank the UAE higher than countries such as the US, UK or Germany.
The findings of the sixth annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey, conducted by PSB were revealed in Dubai on Monday. They aim to demonstrate a clearer view on the region’s demographic and the youth’s attitudes and expectations about living and working in the Gulf. According to the latest data, almost 40 percent of young Arabs, aged 25 and under, want to live in the UAE, up from 31 percent the previous year. When asked about their expectations, 55 percent of all surveyed say they are generally optimistic about what the future holds for their countries. Among all nations, Emiratis are the most optimistic – nearly 70 percent of them are expecting a brighter future. UAE nationals are also the most confident Arab nation, according to the survey – about half of them say their current opportunities are better than they used to be a year ago.
Besides general satisfaction with the local life and reality, the Arab Youth Survey also looks at different attitudes about certain trends, opportunities and challenges before the average young GCC citizen. While young Arabs are more confident in their governments, they are also less optimistic about the Arab Spring and its outcomes. As for their greatest concerns, the respondents admit those are now the increasing cost of living and the rising unemployment among them.
More than half of the participants are generally traditionalists and 46 percent admit they prefer embracing modern values and beliefs. This is the first time in the history of the survey, when the percentage of forward, modern people is so high. In comparison, only 17 percent of the youngsters accepted new, modern doctrines and values in 2011. Still, the majority of young Arabs consider their family, friends and religion as greatest influence in their life – 67 percent say they seek advice from their parents, 58 percent say they regard their family’s opinion as most valuable, 56 percent admit they lean on their religion, and 46 percent say they seek friends for counsel. Other sources of influence are community leaders (38 percent) and social media and bloggers (35 percent).
Although young people in the GCC region are a little less optimistic about the Arab Spring, they are more confident that national governments will be able to solve most of the issues – living standards, unemployment and economic stability. 68 percent of the respondents say they are either very or “somewhat” confident that governments will manage to deal with the rising rates of unemployment, 67 percent are optimistic about governments’ abilities to deal with war, and 66 percent of them believe governments will improve the living standards. In the long term, however, young people seem to be not particularly confident. 58 percent of them are either not very or not at all confident that national governments will be able to address wealth creation, and 57 percent of them are not certain about government’s ability to solve environmental issues.
The strongest concern among the young GCC population is the rising living cost, with 63 percent of them admitting this is the major issues, followed by unemployment (around 50 percent). Two-thirds of the respondents say their generation is more likely to provide the nation with entrepreneurs. And 31 percent of the people also say they would like employment in the private sector.
The country was also found the happiest Arab country and the 17th happiest nation around the world in the United Nations’ 2013 World Happiness Report.
