‘arab Spring’ Continues To Be A Major Influence On Arab Youth’

By Author: Ashwani Singla
Total Articles: 2
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Cost of Living is a major concern while they remain optimistic about the future of the region.

Recently PSB launched the 5th annual Arab Youth Survey, our largest ever comprehensive look at the attitudes and opinions of young people across 15 Arab countries. The project included 3000 in-depth and face-to-face interviews with young men and women from virtually every corner of the Arab world reaching participants in: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen.

This year’s survey showed the feelings of optimism and pride that spread across the region following the Arab Spring over two years ago continue to be a major influence on Arab youth. 87% say they are prouder today to be Arab and 74% believe the Arab world’s best days are ahead. 71% also believe their governments are more transparent today due to the Arab Spring.

The survey also showed a shift away from traditional values towards modern ones. In 2011, only 17% said traditional values were outdated and should be replaced by modern values. Today, 40% of Arab youth feel ...
... modern values should replace traditional values, a striking shift for young people in the region. Yet, while young people seem to be embracing modern values, traditional sources of values – parents, religion and family – remain the most important influences.

The survey revealed many interesting socioeconomic findings as well. Respondents placed the rising cost of living at the very top of their list of concerns, ahead of regional conflict, human rights and even corruption. But while the cost of living is a major concern, 60% feel the overall regional economy is headed in the right direction and 31% saw their incomes rise in the past year, with another 42% expecting a raise in the coming year. In a sign of increased optimism and hope for the future, 31% intend to start their own businesses sometime in the next 5 years, and 55% are planning to return to school.

For the companies and brands that do business in the Arab world, the survey had numerous relevant and actionable findings. A majority said a brand’s country of origin was important, with most young people spending their money on mobile phone services, clothes and shoes. 61% of Arab youth said the environmental friendliness of a product or service was important, and 74% said they were concerned about climate change, valuable insights for anyone doing business in the region.

Working closely with our colleagues at ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, our team fielded our widest-ranging survey on the topic to date, reaching more countries and creating the most comprehensive picture of Arab youth available today.

To find out more about the survey and its findings, please visit http://www.psbresearch.in/winning-knowledge/index.aspx