The 7th annual Arab Youth Survey shed light on many aspects of the aspirations and ambitions of Arab youth across 16 countries. From boycotting brands for a cause to choice of digital media for news to viewing energy price drop as a temporary issue, the respondents revealed a high degree of resilience and foresight. Here are some quick encapsulations of some of the top 10 findings of the survey.
Digital media and Arab youth: Television is still king
Almost eight in ten (77 per cent) young Arabs said they own a smartphone and almost five in six (82 per cent) said they are daily internet users.
The report says that this shows that the Arab youth are a truly digital generation.
However, despite the rise of internet and smartphone access, the survey found that television remains the most popular source of news (60 per cent).
News from online sources came second with 40 per cent and news from social media sources followed with 25 per cent — significantly more than newspapers and radio.
The influence and reach of social media continues to grow, with 91 per cent saying they visit social media channels at least once a week.
Networks such as Facebook and Twitter are fast becoming major sources of information for youth with two-fifths (41 per cent) saying they use Facebook to share interesting news articles with their family and friends.
Smartphones now make up the vast majority of all phones shipped in the GCC, according to International Data Corporation. The GCC is one of the biggest users of social media per capita in the world with youth turning online for drama, comedy, sports and news.
Brands, countries of origin and boycott
Arab youth do not rule out boycotting country-associated brands for a cause. They consider a brand’s country of origin before purchasing a product, with those in the GCC more conscious than their peers in non-GCC countries.
Almost half (44 per cent) of the respondents say a brand’s country of origin matters to them, compared with 52 per cent who say it does not.
Across the Arab world, one in three (32 per cent) would boycott a brand for political reasons while just one in five (21 per cent) youth would never support the boycott of a brand for political reasons.
Nearly half (46 per cent) are unsure but do not rule out using their purchasing power as a political tool. Youth in GCC countries are more likely to boycott a brand than their peers in other non-GCC countries.
The report read: “Growing internet penetration, together with the rise of social media, has exposed Arab youth to more global issues, sensitising them even more to global brands and political issues. Boycotts, however, are not a recent phenomenon. During times of conflict, many Arabs have shunned specific products or brands for political reasons.”
Outlook on future: Still optimistic
Arab youth are aware of the present issues facing the region but remain cautiously optimistic about the long-term future, with youth in the GCC particularly positive, the report found.
When thinking about the last five years, three in five (57 per cent) believe their country is heading in the right direction while 35 per cent say things have gone in the wrong direction.
Youth in the GCC are significantly more optimistic than their peers in other parts of the Arab world. Eighty-one per cent of Gulf youth believe things in their country are going in the right direction compared with 57 per cent in North Africa and only 29 per cent in the Levant.
However, in general, the prospects for the future garnered a hefty overall 67 per cent vote for best days being ahead of them, while just 26 per cent said their best days are behind them.
Even in the Levant, which continues to grapple with political and economic instability, 57 per cent believe their best days are ahead compared with 34 per cent who say their best days are behind them.
Regional allies: Saudi Arabia seen as top ally
When asked to think about their country’s biggest ally, Arab youth cited Saudi Arabia for the fourth year running and continue to view the UAE and United States as their biggest supporters in the region.
One in three (30 per cent) consider Saudi Arabia their biggest ally, while 23 per cent cite the United States and 22 per cent the UAE. Qatar ranks fourth (16 per cent) followed by France (11 per cent).
The report read that Saudi Arabia, which has started to assert itself more in the region in response to US foreign policy, is viewed as a top ally in 12 Arab countries (all but Tunisia, Iraq, and Libya) while the influence of US and UAE is more limited to the GCC countries.
Outside the GCC, only Iraq, Morocco, and Jordan view the US as one of their top three allies while outside the GCC, Iraq and Egypt consider the UAE among their top allies. Saudi Arabia has been growing increasingly assertive following Washington’s drive to conclude the framework agreement with Iran on the nuclear issue and its recent cautionary approach in the Middle East.
Falling energy prices: Temporary drop
The majority of Arab youth, particularly in the Opec countries, are concerned about the falling energy prices, but most also believe the drop is temporary.
Crude oil has declined around 50 per cent since last June amid a global oversupply, particularly shale oil in the US, and weakening demand growth.
More than half of Arab youth are “concerned” (52 per cent) about falling energy prices as the cost of oil continues to decline. Thirty-seven per cent say they are not concerned, while 10 per cent “don’t know”.
Unsurprisingly, the level of concern is higher in Opec countries like Kuwait, where 90 per cent of the youth say they are concerned, followed by Libya (84 per cent), Algeria (75 per cent) and Iraq (64 per cent).
When asked to think about the negative impact falling energy prices will have on them, three in five (64 per cent) expect it will have a negative effect on the economy on them personally, and those who expect it to have an effect on the entire Arab world (60 per cent).
