What Do Young People in the Gulf Think?: BAH Study

A Booz Allen Hamilton report surveys 415 young nationals aged 15 to 24 in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to get a sample of what the youth of these countries think of their future and their countries’ key challenges:

Here are the results in a snapshot.

Surprisngly, more young people think high cost of living is a bigger concern than finding a job. Nationals,, especially in Qatar and UAE enjoy subsidies and benefits from governments but they still appear to think that the cost of living is their biggest concern.

What Do Young People in the GCC Think?

-62% feel the high cost of living is their biggest concern

55% believe it is finding a job

-87% think unemployment is a major problem in their country

-45% say that their primary ambition in life is to complete their education

32% think their education system has not prepared them to find a job

-39% think a good salary is the most important criterion in a job

22% think it is job satisfaction

-65% want their governments to develop youth service programs in order to create economic opportunities for youth

62% want governments to promote youth entrepreneurs

-63% want governments to give them increased access to decision-making processes and policies

-70% of young women and 44% of young men said that the government should encourage women to work in different fields

-59% of young men think women’s primary role in society should be that of a wife and mother

only 22% of young women agree

-67% want their country to be known as a technologically advanced nation

65% want it to be known as an educated, intellectual society

-36% exercise less than once a week

-Only 28% participate in community development

The most popular leisure activities among young people take place at home:

88% surf the Internet

78% watch TV

65% spend time at home with family