ABU DHABI // The UAE is the country in which the majority of Arab youths would most like to live – and the place they would like their own countries to emulate – for the fourth year in a row.
The Emirates was the top choice ahead of 20 other countries, including the United States, Germany and Canada, among young people, between 18 and 24, who took part in the seventh annual Arab Youth Survey.
“The popularity of the UAE is a reflection of the country’s strong economic outlook and status as a safe haven,” said Sunil John, chief executive of Asda’a Burson-Marsteller, which commissioned the survey. “The economy of the Gulf state is expected to grow 3.5 per cent this year and in 2016 in spite of falling oil prices, according to the International Monetary Fund.
“The country continues to invest in key infrastructure projects and social spending packages.
“The UAE is also known as a country where young Arabs are encouraged to reach their full potential across a broad spectrum of industries from technology start-ups to the arts and finance, in a culture they are familiar with.”
When asked to name a country they would like to emulate, almost a quarter (22 per cent) considered the UAE a model nation, followed by the United States (15 per cent), Germany (11 per cent), Canada (8 per cent) and France (8 per cent).
Rowdha Ahmed, a 22-year-old Emirati, said the UAE had so much to offer.
“We are very tolerant towards other cultures and we provide many ways in which people can just enjoy their life while they are here,” said Rowdha, a resident of Dubai.
People who come here are never short of something to do, she said.
“When you are here you feel like you are never bored. There is something always new and people from Kuwait, or Saudi Arabia, for example, they come here for their weekend or their holiday to see what is new.”
Mr John said: “Last year, the UAE announced that 2015 is the Year of Innovation, and has implemented a plan to further enhance the country’s ability to create, nourish and cultivate new ideas and leaders across a broad spectrum of sectors, from technology start-ups to the arts and finance.
“The UAE is a lighthouse and a beacon of hope for the region’s youth who have been living through a period of political turmoil in some parts of the region affecting normal life.”
Hessa Khalid, a 24-year-old Emirati in Dubai, said the country’s leaders helped to create a place where many nationalities want to live and settle. “I think the UAE is so popular because of the way people have been raised here,” she said.
“They are more open to new cultures and I think the Rulers of the UAE are different. They have been welcoming a lot of nationalities to come and live here, and open their businesses here.”
Mahmoud Ashri, a 19-year-old Sudanese, said he could understand why the UAE was a popular choice for Arab youth.
“It is safe, it is open to all communities and it is open-minded,” said the student at Al Nahda National School.
Egyptian student Tariq Enheawi said the UAE was a popular choice for Arabs because it was multicultural. “It is also easy to find employment here,” said the 18-year-old living in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed Abdulhamid, an 18-year-old Lebanese, was born in Abu Dhabi. He said Arab youth who move to the UAE felt at home.
“There are opportunities here; you feel like you have a bright future,” he said.
Arab youth also viewed the UAE among the region’s top three allies.
When asked to think about their country’s biggest ally, one in three across the region cited Saudi Arabia followed by the United States (23 per cent) and the UAE (22 per cent).
jbell@thenational.ae
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About 3,500 youths aged 18 to 24 years old were polled in the Arab Youth Survey 2015. The survey, now in its seventh year, was conducted by Penn Schoen Berland in January and February and questioned male and female Arab nationals in 16 countries. They were questioned on the relationship between Arabic language and their national identity, employment and the potential success of democracy in the Middle East and which country they would prefer to live in. For the complete findings visit the Arab Youth Survey website.
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