Dubai: For the second year in a row, the UAE and China are the most preferred emerging-market countries among young people who would like to live abroad to advance their careers, a World Economic Forum survey shows.
In the survey, released in Dubai by the World Economic Forum, the two ranked as the most preferred emerging market countries − in 11th and 12th place, respectively − ahead of the Scandinavian countries, all other Brics countries and Singapore. The US, UK and Canada led the list.
The survey, organised by the Global Shapers team of the World Economic Forum, asked some 20,000 millennials aged 18-35 about a wide range of issues concerning business, the economy, politics, technology and values. Respondents from 187 countries and territories took part in the survey, with most coming from China, the United States and India.
Excellent opportunities
“The UAE’s appeal lies in the enviable fact that the country is increasingly synonymous with an attitude that nothing is impossible,” said Adeyemi Babington-Ashaye, Head of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum. “The UAE combines excellent opportunities for young people and start-ups with a competitive economy and sends a clear signal that, if you want to build the future, come and build it in the UAE.”
One reason for the strong performance of the UAE may be the good prospects for landing a job in the country. While 34 per cent of millennials globally identified the lack of economic opportunity and employment as one of the three most serious issues affecting their country — making it the biggest issue of concern after corruption — only one in 10 of the UAE respondents said they see unemployment as a serious issue.
