UAE chosen as the ‘top country to live in’ by Arab youth for 10th consecutive year

The UAE has been chosen as the top country in the world to live in by nearly half of the Arab youth for the tenth consecutive year, according to the annual Arab Youth survey conducted by Asda’a BCW.

While 47 per cent of the young Arabs surveyed selected the UAE as their country of choice, the US came second (19 per cent), followed by Canada (15 per cent), France (13 per cent), and Germany (11 per cent).

The survey polled 3,400 young Arab nationals aged 18 to 24 from 17 Arab states across the MENA region, with a 50-50 female and male split.

As many as 46 per cent of young Arabs want their respective countries to emulate the UAE, following by US (28 per cent), Canada (12 per cent), Germany (12 per cent) and France (11 per cent).

When quizzed on what they associate most with the UAE, young Arabs cited factors including a growing economy (28 per cent), wide range of work opportunities (28 per cent), clean and enjoyable environment (25 per cent), safe and secure (25 per cent) and generous salary packages (23 per cent) as the top reasons.

Most Arabs also found the US (51 per cent) to hold the greatest influence in the region, followed by Saudi Arabia (29 per cent) and the UAE (23 per cent).

Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said: “The UAE is everyone’s country..and everyone’s home.”

أظهرت أحدث دراسة للشباب العربي في 17 بلداً عربياً لصالح أصداء بي سي دبليو أن الإمارات هي البلد المفضل للعيش ل47٪ من الشباب العربي تليها الولايات المتحدة 19٪ ثم كندا 15٪. ونحن نقول بأن الإمارات بلد الجميع..وبيت الجميع..وتجربتنا ستبقى متاحة للجميع..وعلاقاتنا ستظل إيجابية مع الجميع

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 12, 2021

Meanwhile, lack of economic opportunity continues to be the main driver of emigration, with a third of young Arabs saying they were either considering or had tried to leave their home country.

Sunil John, president, MENA, BCW and founder of ASDA’A BCW, said: “Inevitably, this year’s research has illustrated many of the pandemic’s extremely damaging effects, as well as the work required to meet the future hopes of Arab youth. However, at the same, it has shone new light on the deep reserves of optimism and pragmatism among our young people. Such positivity is hugely encouraging and a strong platform on which policymakers can build a better and prosperous future.”