Arab Youth Survey

March 15, 2011

www.arabyouthsurvey.com | www.asdaa.com

OBJECTIVES ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller commissioned Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) in October 2010 to carry out the survey among Arab national and expatriate youth aged 18-24 in 10 Middle East countries: the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait), Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and, for the first time, Iraq.

The research was designed to uncover country differences and common trends, looking at concerns and priorities such as: • • • • • • • • •

Attitudes towards democracy Economic and social concerns Attitudes to foreign relations Personal and social values Attitudes towards education Perceptions of future careers Access to technology Social media networking Media consumption trends

OBJECTIVES The timeline below is a brief summary of events leading up to the Arab Youth Survey 2010. Protests in Tunisia, Egypt and other countries in the region post-date 2010 fieldwork: Timeline of events surrounding AYS 2010 US combat officially ends in Iraq, turning to advisory role

September

Saudi Regulator closes websites for violating Royal Decree

Failed printer cartridge bomb plot

October

Ahmadinejad visits Lebanon

Qatar win WikiLeaks World Cup releases diplomatic cables 2022 bid

November

December

Tunisia protests

AYS Dec 2010/ 2010/ Jan 2011

Egyptian Supporters of the Muslim Parliamentary elections Brotherhood Egyptian arrested in Parliamentary Egypt elections (second round)

Protests begin in Bahrain, Yemen and Oman

January

February

Egypt protests Serious unrest in Libya begins

METHODOLOGY PSB conducted 2,000 interviews face-to-face* among respondents aged 18-24 from December 27, 2010-January 20, 2011. The table explains the country by country breakdown of the respondents.

Gender -

Quotas were applied to:

Male 60%

Female 40%

Quotas for each market -

New in 2010

UAE

Oman

Qatar

Bahrain

KSA

Kuwait

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon

Iraq

N=250

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=200

N=150

Nationals / Expats = 50 / 50

Exclusively Nationals

Nationals / Expats = 50 / 50

Exclusively Nationals

Nationals / Expats = 75 / 25

Nationals / Expats = 75 / 25

Exclusively Nationals

Exclusively Nationals

Exclusively Nationals

Exclusively Nationals

Dubai – 40% Muscat – 50%

Amman – 50%

East Beirut – 40%

Baghdad (50%)

Jeddah – 40%

Kuwait City -20%

Cairo – 50%

Riyadh – 40%

Al Hawalli – 30th

Alexandria – 25% Irbid – 25%

West Beirut – 40% Irbil (25%)

Mansoura – 25%

Tripoli – 20%

Doha – 55%

Sharjah – 20% Manama – 100% Abu Dhabi – 40%

Batinah – 50%

Al Ahmadi – 20% Al Rayyan – 45%

Dammam – 20%

Al Farwaniya – 30%

* 2008 research was conducted by Nielsen using an online methodology.

Both 2009 and 2010 research was conducted face-to-face.

Zarqa – 25%

Basrah (25%)

TOP TEN FINDINGS 1. An enduring desire for democracy 2. Anxiety grows about rising cost of living 3. Gap between rich & poor of increasing concern 4. Less optimism about economic recovery and future outlook 5. Education gap widens betweens Gulf states and other Arab countries 6. Increasing preference to work in private sector, eagerness to start own business 7. Internet makes more inroads, with social media growing in influence 8. Television the most popular and trusted source of news 9. Traditional values are paramount, while parents grow in influence 10. More positive perceptions of global powers, growing sense of global citizenship

AN ENDURING DESIRE FOR DEMOCRACY

THE MOST IMPORTANT • Living in a democratic country remains the most important priority. • The importance of democracy has increased significantly in the past few months.

How important are each of the following to you? (% very important) Among All

92 77

76 65

66 60

64 65

67

64

68 60 62

62

62

Maintaining a close relationship with family

62

61

52

50

Living in a safe neighbourhood

76

74

57

55

Living in a democratic country

77

76

72

Being paid a fair wage

2008

Being able to get married/start a family

2009

2010

Living without fear of terrorism

2011

Being able to find a job

76

60

60

63

55

Having good infrastructure

60

60 51

Having the opportunities to excel in my career

THE MOST IMPORTANT • 4 in 5 for those in non-GCC countries consider the most important issue to be living in a democratic country. • For those in the GCC, living in a safe neighbourhood and close relationships with family are key.

How important are each of the following to you? (% very important)

80

72 66

65 60

65 58

64 59

55

63

61 62

62 56

56

60

49

Maintaining a Living in a safe Living without Being able to close neighbourhood fear of terrorism find a job relationship with family

Being able to Having the Having good Being paid a fair get opportunities to infrastructure wage married/start a excel in my family career

GCC

Non GCC

Living in a democratic country

THE MOST IMPORTANT • Nine in ten young Iraqis believe that living in a democracy is very important. There is also a strong call for it in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain. • In Bahrain, it is particularly important for youth to be able to have a family.

How important are each of the following to you? (% very important)

92

91

89

85 78

75

75

51

73 70 56

67

66

61 61

65

52

52

57

80

70 73

71

61

59 52

51

78

68

67

58 51

49

66 57

52 46

34

33

Living in a democratic country

Egypt

84

Jordan

Living in a safe neighbourhood

Kuwait

Qatar

KSA

Maintaining a close relationship with my family

UAE

Oman

Lebanon

Being paid a fair wage

Bahrain

Iraq

ANXIETY GROWS ABOUT RISING COST OF LIVING

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE 48%

Rising cost of living

39 34%

Unemployment

32 26% 26 26 24%

Human rights The economy The gap between the rich and the poor

17

17%

Corruption in government and public life

13 17%

The loss of traditional values and culture

14

Opportunities for women

International conflicts Crime / law and order Shortage of affordable housing Climate change and the environment Reliable electricity supply

28

24

12 15% 15 15 13% 15 13% 11

15

13% 12 14 12% 11 12 12% 14 10 11% 11 12

20 21

16%

11

19

17%

14

The quality of education in schools Middle East conflicts

Overall young people in the Middle East see the region’s biggest challenge as the rising cost of living. This is most pronounced in the Gulf countries. Unemployment, human rights and the economy follow behind. Young people in non-Gulf countries are more concerned with the gap between the rich and the poor.

20% 20 20

Dangers of drugs

Personal debt

19 20%

36

54

19

Which of the following would you say is the biggest challenge facing the Middle East today?

Among All

Among All

GCC

Non GCC

GAP BETWEEN RICH & POOR OF INCREASING CONCERN

CONCERNS FOR 2011 How concerned would you say you are about each of the following issues? (% very concerned) Among All

+10

• As well as being the biggest challenge, the rising cost of living is also the primary concern for youth across the region. There has been a sharp increase in concern over the rise of Islamist movements which is in tandem with a rising interest in democracy in the region. • Unemployment remains one of the key concerns, while the rich/poor divide is an increasing concern. +9

Added in 2010

CONCERNS FOR 2011

How concerned would you say you are about each of the following issues? (% very concerned) Among All

• Concerns over the rise in the cost of living and unemployment are constants throughout the Arab world, but other issues are of greater concern to those outside the wealthy Gulf states (GCC) • Those in non-GCC countries are most concerned about the role of Islam in political life. HIV/Aids, access to clean water and the growing wealth gap

CONCERNS FOR 2011 Those in Egypt, Lebanon and Bahrain are the most concerned about the rise in cost of living. In Egypt, standard of living and unemployment are also of concern, providing the backdrop on which to view January and February’s protests.

•

77

How concerned would you say you are about each of the following issues? Top 5 (% very concerned)

77 71

68

63 58 53 47

63

63

60

58

56

59

58

57

50 45 45

46

43 34

33

33

50 46

43

42

57

56

55

53 53 41

35

49

46

45

47

44

40

38

35

31 25

25

24

21 13

16

Rising cost of living

Egypt

Access to clean water

Jordan

Kuwait

The gap between the rich and the poor

Qatar

KSA

UAE

Unemployment

Oman

Lebanon

Standard of living in your country of residence

Bahrain

Iraq

LESS OPTIMISM ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

GENERAL OUTLOOK • Overall, the majority of Arab youth feel that their country is going in the right direction. Young people in the GCC countries are more likely to believe that their country is heading in the right direction, though there has been a positive uplift in non-GCC countries.

• Young Qataris feel most positive about their country’s direction, likely helped by winning the 2022 World Cup. • Egypt and Lebanon remain the most negative about their countries. This could be attributed to the slow recovery from the recession, and from concerns about how to bridge the gap between the rising cost of living and unemployment.

Thinking about the last five years, do you think things in your country of residence are going in the right direction or are they going in the wrong direction? * Iraq added for 2010 data % Right direction

Among All

66

61 Right Direction

23

27

Wrong Direction

11

13

Don't know

2009

2010

ECONOMIC RECOVERY • In Gulf countries, there is a stronger belief that their countries have recovered from the economic crisis.

• Three quarters of young people in Qatar believe their country has completely recovered from the economic downturn. More than half feel the same in Kuwait.

• In Jordan and Iraq, over 9 in 10 say they have partially recovered, but that there is still a way to go. One year on from the Dubai World Default, one third of youth in UAE believe the country has fully recovered but two thirds believe recovery is only partial at this stage.

• Youth in Egypt and Lebanon are least positive about their country’s recovery. Young people are divided between seeing a partial recovery and none at all.

Do you believe your country of residence has recovered from the economic downturn?

EDUCATION GAP WIDENS BETWEENS GULF STATES AND OTHER ARAB COUNTRIES

EDUCATION • There is a split among youth in the region on entering further education. • Nine out of ten in UAE plan to go into further education in the future, while almost equal numbers in Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan do not, reflecting the split between GCC and non-GCC markets.

6%

-6

Do you plan on going onto further education?

Among those in full-time education Yes

48% +3

46%

+3 No Don't know

Red box shows change from 2009

INCREASING PREFERENCE TO WORK IN PRIVATE SECTOR, EAGERNESS TO START OWN BUSINESS

FUTURE CAREERS • The number of young people preferring to work for the government has declined slightly this year. It is particularly low in Egypt. The private sector has appeal in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Egypt. • In the Gulf, there is a greater appeal for government jobs Would you prefer to work for the Government or the private sector?

Among All

46

40

43

47

10 1 2009

11 2 2010

Private Sector

19 52 64 37 10 1 GCC

Government

13 4 Non GCC

No preference Don't know

ENTREPRENEURSHIP • • •

Half of 18-24 years olds in the region intend to start their own business in the next five years. Primarily those in KSA, Oman and UAE carry the most entrepreneurial spirit.

However, Egyptian youth are the least likely to see the potential of owning their own business and Iraqis are unsure of their intention, potentially as a result of the current climate.

There is a greater interest in starting a business in GCC countries and among Expats.

Do you intend to start your own business within the next five years? Among All

17% Yes

51%

No

32%

10 90

KSA

9 26 66 Oman

Don't know

20 16 64 UAE

9

4

38

43

27

19

24

10

25

44

43

61

61

12 26

26

33

17 26

50

58

17

41

53

53

48

37

29

9 29

62

33

Qatar

Bahrain

Kuwait

Jordan

Lebanon

Egypt

Iraq

GCC

32

Non GCC Nationals Expats

INTERNET MAKES MORE INROADS, WITH SOCIAL MEDIA GROWING IN INFLUENCE

INTERNET USAGE • •

Daily usage of the internet has grown overall this year. While under 3 in 5 used the Internet daily in 2009, now 80% use it on a daily basis.

Internet usage is equal in GCC and non-GCC countries.

How often do you generally use the Internet? (% Daily) Among All

2010

2009

80%

56%

2010 (% Daily)

INTERNET USAGE • The main online activities among Arab youth involve listening to music and social networking. • Online social networking has increased by almost a third in the past 12 months and now almost one in five read blogs, reflecting the power of this medium in the region at the moment.

66

What do you do when you are online?

Among All

+28%

61

60

59 44

42 37

32

31 33

32 27 26

32 25

+13% 23 18

21

20

18

15 5

2009

2010

29 18

22 16

12

14

11

10

9

6

INTERNET USAGE • Social networking is most popular in Iraq and Egypt.

In Egypt this supports the widespread use of social media during the protests.

What do you do when you are online?

Among All 83 72

69

67

64

59

57

55

49 36

25 6 Iraq

15 13

Egypt

18

25 12

Kuwait

9 Jordan

16

9

Bahrain

Social networking

17 13

Qatar

Read blogs

17

19 10

Oman

Blogging

12

Lebanon

11 14

18

UAE

KSA

10

TELEVISION THE MOST POPULAR AND TRUSTED SOURCE OF NEWS

TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET • Television and newspapers are the most popular news sources. TV news channels are the most trusted overall, particularly in Qatar. Trust is low in Kuwait and Egypt, but lowest in Bahrain.

In your opinion what is the most trusted source of news? • Trust is highest in TV news channels, particularly in Qatar.

Where do you get your news?

Among All

Among All

Other 3 Websites 11 Newspapers 19

60 TV news channels

85

Qatar

72 72 71 71

Iraq Lebanon Jordan KSA

58 55

UAE Oman

45 44

Kuwait Egypt Bahrain

25

TRADITIONAL VALUES ARE PARAMOUNT, WHILE PARENTS GROW IN INFLUENCE

VALUES AND INFLUENCE • Traditional values and their preservation for future generations are extremely important across the whole region, in both the GCC and non-GCC countries. The feeling is particularly acute in Iraq and Bahrain.

Which of the following is closest to your view?

VALUES AND INFLUENCE • •

Parents continue to have the most influence on life outlook for Arab youth in the region.

Family and friends have also increased as an influence.

How far would you say each of the following influence you and your outlook on life? (% very influential) Among All

VALUES AND INFLUENCE • Religion is more influential in GCC countries. The immediate impact of parents, family and friends has greater resonance in the non-GCC countries.

How far would you say each of the following influence you and your outlook on life? (% very influential) Among All

87 81

77

79 73

70

50

52 45

43

39

36

35 22

GCC

19

Non GCC

35

34

33

30

29 21

20

18

16

INCREASE IN POSITIVE PERCEPTION OF GLOBAL POWERS, GROWING SENSE OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

FOREIGN RELATIONS •

European nations like the UK, France and Germany continue to be looked on favourably, with feelings towards the US increasingly positive.

How favourable are you to the following countries? (% Very favourable)

United Kingdom

France

FOREIGN RELATIONS •

European nations like the UK, France and Germany continue to be looked on favourably, with feelings towards the US increasingly positive.

How favourable are you to the following countries? (% Very favourable)

Which of the following statements is most accurate?

69

36

26

23 9

12 1

I have travelled abroad I have not yet travelled I have no interest in this year abroad this year, but am travelling abroad planning to

5 I am planning to travel abroad in the next couple of years

17 2 I would like to travel abroad, but currently cannot afford It

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP • • •

The concept of global citizenship is increasingly important for many 18-24 year olds in the region, particularly in Lebanon, Qatar, Oman and Iraq.

UAE, Bahrain and Egypt place less importance on the notion in comparison to last year.

Non GCC countries are more committed to the idea of global citizenship.

How important is the idea of global citizenship the shared feeling of identity regardless of ethnic, religious or national background - to you? (% very important)

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP •

Global citizenship is less important in Bahrain and KSA. Just under half of young people in Bahrain consider the idea to be important – the lowest number in the region.

How important is the idea of global citizenship the shared feeling of identity regardless of ethnic, religious or national background - to you? (% very important)

UPDATE: POST-PROTEST INSIGHTS

TOP 5 FINDINGS 1. Importance of democracy is greater than ever – but so is desire for stability 2. Concern about the cost of living, and corruption, continues to escalate 3. Increased frustration with domestic status quo 4. Support of the protests is high, and so is belief in their positive impact 5. Political views are increasingly liberal and forward-looking Methodology: Following unrest in the Middle East in January 2011, Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) conducted an additional 500 interviews in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain and Iraq. Interviews were conducted among Arab national youth aged 18-24. Fieldwork was conducted between February 26-March 5, 2011, in capital cities.

IMPORTANCE OF DEMOCRACY IS GREATER THAN EVER – BUT SO IS DESIRE FOR STABILITY

MOST IMPORTANT • It is clear that living in a democratic country and domestic stability are important to young people. Living without fear of terrorism has grown in importance. • While political issues are salient, there has been a growing importance of fundamental issues like family, being able to find a job, and having access to credit.

92 77

Jan. 2011

How important are each of the following to you? (% very important) 75 Among All 73

89

77 77 77 76 76 76 75 72 65 64 63 6165 61 61 61 60 60 59 59 58 56 56 55 54 54 53

Feb. 2011

Added in Feb. 2011

68

58 49

47

43

49 41

MOST IMPORTANT How important are each of the following to you?

Living in a democratic country Domestic Stability Having access to the best universities Being paid a fair wage Being able to get married and start a family Having access to reliable healthcare Owning my own home Living in a safe neighbourhood Having access to high speed internet Living without fear of terrorism Being able to find a job Maintaining a close relationship with my family Having the opportunities to excel in my career Being able to afford luxuries Having good infrastructure like electricity, clean water, safe roads Ensuring equal rights/opportunities for women Readily available credit from banks to start a business Opportunities to emigrate Preserving traditional values Being able to travel and go on holidays when I want Denotes biggest increase from Jan. 2011

Egypt 92 89 55 86 84 95 83 78 55 81 86 84 71 39

Jordan 90 100 85 69 89 86 96 65 86 89 84 90 85 70

Lebanon 100 100 70 75 82 81 82 65 75 80 83 95 86 69

Bahrain 89 88 47 57 53 48 58 55 55 53 65 55 47 48

Iraq 89 100 74 70 79 61 68 59 70 76 61 69 75 74

79

68

54

42

70

80

87

73

52

73

68

90

90

38

71

62 52 37

79 72 66

88 49 47

33 55 35

72 60 62

Note: Low bases, data is directional

CONCERN ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING, AND CORRUPTION, CONTINUES TO ESCALATE

CONCERNS FOR 2011 • Unsurprisingly, political and economic issues are a growing concern for young people.

Increasingly corruption in government and lack of political franchise are a concern.

Nevertheless, a desire to preserve traditional values endures. • Since January, there has been an increase in concerns about healthcare, housing and law and order.

How concerned would you say you are about each of the following issues? (% very concerned) Among All

79 72 62

67 54

Jan. 2011

64 5356

66

70 62

56 46 44 44 42 41

43

Feb. 2011

Added in Feb. 2011

4343 42

42

65

66 59

62

54 47

39

34

34

34

32

31

30

53

30

55

56

48 29

28

28

54

27

54

26

59 52

24

24

INCREASED FRUSTRATION WITH DOMESTIC STATUS QUO

COUNTRY’S DIRECTION • Currently, there is a belief that their country of residence is heading in the wrong direction, with a sharp decline in Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain and Iraq among those who see the country as heading in the right direction.

• There has been little change in the direction in which young Egyptians see their country as 2 heading.

12

Among All

38

Thinking about the last five years, do you think things in your country of residence are going in the right direction or are they going in the wrong direction? % Right direction

Wrong Direction Right Direction

50 31 Jan. 2011

Feb. 2011

68 50 31

Among All

38

33

Don't know

66

57

55 38

41

35

26

19

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon Jan. 2011

Bahrain Feb. 2011

Iraq

COUNTRY’S DIRECTION • Egyptians are most likely to see their country heading in the right direction in the long term, potentially reflecting the time that has elapsed since the large-scale protests.

Thinking about the last couple of months, do you think things in your country of residence are going in the right direction or are they going in the wrong direction?

12 43

46 51 23

28 28

36

Among All

Egypt

Right direction at the moment

61

38

60

27 10

27

31

29

32

Jordan

Lebanon

Bahrain

Right direction in the long term

13

Wrong direction

Iraq

Don’t know

SUPPORT OF PROTESTS IS HIGH, AND SO IS BELIEF IN THEIR POSITIVE IMPACT

IMPACT OF PROTESTS • Three in four see the protests as having a positive impact in the lives of the people. Young people in Egypt are the most positive, and least negative overall.

Do you believe these protests will have a positive or negative impact in the lives of the people in your country?

18

13 8

8 15

3 21

74

79

77

Among All

Egypt

Bahrain

8

7

8

20

26

76

73

66

Jordan

Iraq

Lebanon

Don't know Negative Positive

SUPPORT OF THE PROTESTS • Young people are supportive of the protests in all the regions. Support is lowest among youth in Bahrain, where they support the protests in their own countries, but are less supportive of others. • Support overall is lowest regarding events in Yemen.

How much do you support or not support the protests in..?

Very supportive

94 81

85

89 81

79 66

81

93

90

80

80

66

91 76

79

78

74

69

89 82

75

71

69 61

59

52

Egypt

Bahrain

Among all

Egypt

Tunisia

Jordan

86

81

Libya

Lebanon

51

Yemen

Bahrain

Iraq

SUPPORT OF THE PROTESTS • Greatest agreement is for the stepping down of political leaders.

• Strongest disagreement comes from the shutting down of the internet and communications services during the protests, and the use of military to control them.

Do you believe these protests will have a positive or negative impact in the lives of the people in your country?

The calls for Qaddafi to step down in Libya

75

17

The resignation of President Mubarak

75

14

Yemeni president declaring that he will not seek another term in office

66

The resignation of President Ben Ali of Tunisia

63

A call for constitutional reforms in Bahrain

62

King Abdullah’s dismissal of the Jordanian Cabinet and Prime Minister

61

The protests represent the views of the citizens of these countries

60

President Bashir of Sudan announcing he will not seek another term

20

The protesters represent the views of only a minority in these countries

17 8

24 6

9 Agree a lot Disagree somewhat

4

8

4 51

28 28 20

10

24

13

7

30

50

The use of police and the military to control the protests

Shutting down of Internet/ comm. services by the gov’t during the recent protests

23

6 3

14

12

32 78

Agree somewhat Disagree a lot

3

8

3

10 14

53 27

7

SUPPORT OF PROTESTS • It is clear that young people are supportive of the resignation of Mubarak, Gaddafi, the Yemeni President, and Ben Ali, and they see the protests as representing the views of the people. In Bahrain, this support is less pronounced.

91 75 68

83

8286

83

77 75

83

66 57

79

74 74 67

59

77

73 66

63

62

53 47

47 44

72

76 70

61 57

61 61 55

48

70 64 60 57 56 54

63

65

How far do you agree or disagree with the following?

Agree a lot

50 44 3839

40

2628 22 20 19

24 24 20 13

17 7

5

20 10

8 1

5 3

Resignation of Calls for Yemeni Resignation of Call for King Abdulla's Protests Pres. Bashir of Use of police Protesters Shutting down President Gaddafi to president President Ben constitutional dismissal of represent the Sudan and the represent the of internet/ Mubarak of step down in declaring he Ali of Tunisia reforms in Jordanian views of the announcing he military to views of only a comms Egypt Libya will not seek Bahrain Cabinet and citizens of will not seek control the minority services by another term PM these another term protests gov't during countries protests

Among All

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon

Bahrain

Iraq

CAUSE OF PROTESTS • The desire for greater democracy is seen as the biggest contributing factor to the protests overall, and in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. In Bahrain, in particular, the economic downturn is a cause, though economic issues resonate across all markets. • In Jordan and Lebanon, foreign influence in the region is seen to have been impactful.

98 97

Thinking about the recent protests in the region, what do you believe contributed to these situations in the Middle East?

93

92

88

86 86

80 79

81

80

85 77

82 76

76

68 56

74

89

80 80 72

80 75

71

72

76

75 62

66 64 53

56

58 52

Very influential

81 80

54

65 63

73

73

70

68 62

61 62 56

52

59

54 53 56

60 48

46

52

36 27

Desire for greater democracy

Economic downturn

Unemployment

Among All

Reaction against corruption in public life

Egypt

Rising cost of living

Jordan

Standard of Desire for The gap Foreign living in your greater human between the influence in the country of rights rich and the region residence poor

Lebanon

Bahrain

Iraq

The loss of traditional values and culture

ROLE IN PROTESTS • The majority have not participated in anti-Government protests, but they either know people who have or have participated in other ways.

Which of the following apply to you?

74

47 40

42

40

35 31

31 22

31

29 21

22

21

27

26

23

20

21

16 15

11

11

10

10 4

3

15 7

7

I have not been involved in the Though I have not participated I read/posted messages about it I have participated in the anti- I read/posted videos about it on anti-Government street protests in the anti-Government street on Facebook (or other social Government street protests YouTube but I know people who have protests, I have participated in networking site like Orkut or other ways Friendster)

Base

Egypt

Jordan

Lebanon

Bahrain

Iraq

POLITICAL VIEWS ARE INCREASINGLY LIBERAL AND FORWARD-LOOKING

POLITICAL VIEWS • Young people have become increasingly politicised since the unrest. They are either increasingly liberal in their outlook, or less apathetic.

Liberal

Centre

Conservative

Jan. 2011 3 Feb. 2011

19 26

Lebanon

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011

26

Jordan

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011

Egypt Jan. 2011

Feb. 2011

20

36

51

19

22

No political views

16

62 33

29

12

25

20

6

Bahrain

Iraq

62

5 7 17 10 1

72 46

42 12

67

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011

10

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011

12

29

12 35

27 24

49 26

12

17

1 15 1

63 67

10 2 19 2

TRADITIONAL VALUES • Traditional values endure, but there has been a movement toward embracing modern values and beliefs. This is particularly acute in Lebanon and Iraq.

Traditional values mean a lot to me, and ought to be preserved for generations to come.

Traditional values are out-dated and belong in the past. I am keen to embrace modern values and beliefs.

Jan. 2011

85 87

Egypt Feb. 2011 Jan. 2011

82

18

Jordan Jan. 2011

71 71

Feb. 2011

Jan. 2011

Lebanon Feb. 2011

Feb. 2011

71

29

15 13 29 29

85 48

15 52

Bahrain Jan. 2011

91 90

9 10

Jan. 2011 Feb. 2011

94

6

Feb. 2011

Iraq

58

42

SUMMARY: TOP FINDINGS 2010 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

An enduring desire for democracy

Gap between rich & poor of increasing concern

Education gap widens betweens Gulf states and other Arab

influence

8.

9.

Television the most popular and trusted source of news Traditional values are paramount, while parents grow in influence

10.

2.

More positive perceptions of global powers, growing sense of global citizenship

Concern about the cost of living, and corruption, continues to escalate

3.

4.

Increased frustration with domestic status quo Support of the protests is high, and so is belief in their positive impact

Increasing preference to work in private sector, eagerness to

Internet makes more inroads, with social media growing in

Importance of democracy is greater than ever – but so is desire for stability

Less optimism about economic recovery and future outlook

start own business

7.

1.

Anxiety grows about rising cost of living

countries

6.

2011

5.

Political views are increasingly liberal and forwardlooking

March 15, 2011

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