Ahead of other Western and Eastern nations, the UAE has retained its position as the top country where Arab youth would like to live and want their own countries to emulate for the ninth consecutive year, according to the 12th Annual ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey.
The survey reveals that young Emiratis are extremely optimistic about their future and young Arabs across the region view the UAE as the top ally of their respective countries.
The Arab Youth Survey conducted interviews with young men and women aged 18 to 24 from 17 Arab states in the Middle East and North Africa with equal numbers of males and females.
It showed that nearly half (46 percent) of all young Arabs select the UAE as their country of choice, followed by the US (33 percent), Canada (27 percent), the UK (27 percent), and Germany (22 percent).
The UAE also rises to the top (52 percent) when Arab youth across the region are asked which country their nation should emulate. The US ranks second with 30 percent, followed by Germany (23 percent), Canada (21 percent) and Japan (20 percent).
Underlining the strong reputation of the UAE across the Arab world, a vast majority (89 per cent) of Arab youth see it as an ally of their country, in addition to being regarded as one of the top three rising powers that have most increased their influence in the Arab world, alongside Saudi Arabia and the US.
The findings of the study also reveals the opinions of young Arabs on a range of subjects including the anti-government protests that raged through parts of the region during the past year, gender rights, personal identity, employment, personal debt, foreign relations and media consumption.
Asked specifically what they associate most with the UAE, young Arabs cited factors including safety and security (44 percent), wide range of work opportunities (36 percent), generous salary packages (32 percent), a growing economy (31 percent) and a good place to raise a family (25 percent) as the top five reasons.
Sunil John, President – Middle East of BCW and Founder of ASDA’A BCW, said: “For years, the UAE has served as a beacon of hope in the region. The unique model of the nation, celebrating social, religious and cultural pluralism, continues to gain the admiration of young Arabs, who see the UAE as the top nation in the world, over Western and Eastern counterparts, to live in and emulate. This is a powerful statement on the positivity and progressive outlook of the UAE leadership and people.”
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