Arab Youth Survey 2020: UAE most desirable country for ninth year

The Emirates was top ranked for its stability and well paying jobs

Dubai attracts people from across the Middle East and North Africa because it is safe, stable and has lots to offer. Reem Mohammed / The National

Major events, such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, brings tourists. Victor Besa / The National

People also come for outdoor adventures, such as those available at Hatta. Courtesy: Meraas

Ain Dubai observation wheel at Bluewaters Island adds another destination in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Cultural riches, such as those at Louvre Abu Dhabi, are a magnet for people. Victor Besa / The National

Older parts of Dubai, such as Deira give people a slice of life as it used to be. Reem Mohammed / The National

Dubai Marina is a haunt for the yachting crew. Pawan Singh / The National

The UAE has been named as the most desirable country for young Arabs to live in for a ninth year.

A feeling of safety and security and the promise of higher salaries were among the main reasons for the country’s continuing popularity, according to the Arab Youth Survey 2020.

The annual poll took in the views of 4,000 young Arabs, between the ages of 18 and 24, across 17 states.

Almost half of those who took part in the survey, 46 per cent, said the UAE was their number one country of choice to live in.

That figure was up from last year when 44 per cent opted for the UAE, an increase of nine per cent from the previous year.

Young Arabs were asked to name their top five nations with the US being named in second place with 33 per cent; the UK and Canada tied for third place with 27 per cent while Germany took fifth place on 22 per cent.

The UAE was also named as the nation that most young Arabs would like their country to emulate, according to 52 per cent of those who took part in the survey, compared to 42 per cent in 2019.

The US ranked second with 30 per cent, followed by Germany (23 per cent), Canada (21 per cent) and Japan (20 per cent).

“There is a perception about the overall quality of life in the UAE that is putting it on a par with, and indeed ahead of, the most prominent western states as a domicile of choice and model for national emulation for so many young Arabs,” said Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington DC.

“The UAE is perceived as a safe and stable environment in a frequently unsafe and unstable region, one in which society functions well under an effective and efficient government and that’s closely linked to the sense that economic opportunities abound.

“It also explains why the UAE would be considered a model by citizens of Arab countries, many of which struggle to provide stability, safety and economic opportunities.”

The main reason that the UAE was selected as the most desirable country for young Arabs was safety and security, according to 44 per cent, while the range of work opportunities ranked a close second with 39 per cent.

Generous salary packages were the third most popular reason according to 33 per cent of respondents.

The fourth most popular choice was the country’s growing economy (31 per cent).

The UAE being a good place to raise a family was the choice of 25 per cent of those who took part in the survey.

Other reasons for the UAE’s popularity included the perception it was a good place to start a business, a welcoming environment for expats (both 24 per cent); having a high quality education system (23 per cent); respect for cultural traditions (20 per cent); and the nation’s strong cultural heritage (17 per cent).