Dubai: The eighth edition of the Arab Youth Survey by Asda’a Busron Marstellar survey makes for an excellent gauge of the changing concerns of Arab youth amid the flux in the region’s socio-political climate. In the domain of democracy versus stability, for instance, the optimism of the Arab Spring seems to be losing its bloom and the rise of Daesh has led to a majority of youth choosing stability over democracy as the roadmap ahead.
In 2014, civil unrest was the main concern of the youth and, as the events unfolded in 2015 and this year, their concerns have shifted to the disconcerting rise of Daesh with a majority of youth (78 per cent) ruling out any support for the group even if Daesh stopped using so much violence.
Democracy vs stability and Daesh
What do you think is the biggest obstacle facing the Middle East?
2014
Civil unrest: 55%
Lack of democracy: 38%
2015
(Rise of Daesh) 37%
2016
(Rise of Daesh) 50%
Falling Prices
How concerned are you about the falling oil prices?
2015
52% (Opec and non-Opec countries)
2016
66% (Opec and non-Opec)
The new aspect of the 2016 survey — continuation of energy subsidies — reveals significant aspects. An overwhelming vote for continuation of subsidies is evident — 78 per cent of youth voted for it.
On the issue of subsidies and who it should cover, the numbers stood: 49 per cent polled for removal of subsidies for expatriates and 37 per cent for removal of subsidies for both expatriates and Emiratis.
