Inflation, the shortage of affordable housing and unemployment are the top three concerns of young Arabs in the Middle East, according to a new report.
And the most important priority for young people in the region is living in a democratic country, according to the second annual Asda'a Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey. Good infrastructure, access to the best universities, being paid a fair wage and living in a safe neighbourhood are also important priorities.
The findings of the nine-country study were revealed in Dubai yesterday by Karen Hughes, Global Vice-Chair of public relations company Burson-Marsteller and former US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. The research was carried out by international polling firm Penn Schoen and Berland Associates (PSB), which conducted 2,000 face-to-face interviews with Arab nationals and expatriates aged between 18 and 24 in the six GCC countries plus Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.
"More than two-thirds of respondents were very concerned about the rising cost of living, while the shortage of affordable housing was their second-biggest worry, followed by unemployment," said Hughes.
"But in general, youth in the Middle East are confident about the direction in which the region is heading. When asked to consider the past five years, 66 per cent of Arab youth said their country of residence was going in the right direction."
Increased public participation was seen as either "very important" or "somewhat important" by the vast majority of young people, from 85 per cent of respondents in Oman to 99 per cent of in Kuwait.
Joseph Ghossoub, Chairman and CEO of the Menacom Group, the regional parent of Asda'a Burson-Marsteller, said: "By examining a wide range of issues, the insights from the survey will be of relevance to the broadest spectrum of experts, including policymakers, marketers, the business community and the media.
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