The UAE has once again been named as the country that most young Arabs would like to live in.
The results, compiled by the Arab Youth Survey, are based on interviews with 3,600 people, aged between 18 and 24. Participants spanned 18 countries.
The UAE's main attributes were its safety and security, according to 41 per cent, a growing economy (28 per cent), effective leadership (24 per cent), clean environment (22 per cent), and the ease of starting a business (20 per cent).
"Starting my career as a civil engineer in Lebanon has been very challenging, it's difficult to accept the idea that my country has no opportunities for me," said Tarek Mahmoud, 22, civil engineer.
"I have no other option but to seek a job abroad, and the UAE is very welcoming of fresh graduates and young talents.
"I'd like to move and start a life there if I get the chance, it's the place to be today."
The sentiment is echoed by young Arabs who have already made the Emirates their home.
“I moved to the UAE almost two years ago and it was the best decision I made," said Tala Dia, 25, a senior auditor also from Lebanon.
"Of course I feel homesick sometimes, but Abu Dhabi is also home. Most of my friends in Lebanon are looking for an opportunity to move here.
"It’s safe, secure and stable - everything we’ve been lacking throughout the crisis in Beirut.”
The UAE was also named as the country that Arab youth would most like their own country to be like.
The UAE was also praised as a good place to raise a family (19 per cent), somewhere with a high quality of schools (16 per cent), a location with strong cultural identity and heritage (16 per cent) as well as offering generous salaries (13 per cent)
“The UAE continues to be a lodestar for Arab youth seeking jobs, opportunity and the freedom to realise their full potential,” said Sunil John, founder of Asda'a BCW, the PR agency that conducts the annual survey.
“The uncertainty elsewhere in the global economy only serves to underline the nation’s winning attributes and the sound vision of its leadership.”
Almost one in four Arab youth (24 per cent) named the UAE as their top choice for where they would most like to live.
It was followed by the US (19 per cent), Canada (19 per cent), Qatar (14 per cent) and the UK (13 per cent).
Qatar appeared in the top five for the first time in eight years, with the report suggesting it was enjoying a feel-good factor from hosting the FIFA World Cup last winter.
“The rise of Qatar to once again become a top-five nation to live in and to emulate is particularly noteworthy,” said Mr John.
“This reflects the hugely positive impact of the FIFA World Cup 2022 last November and December; without question, the tournament had a galvanising effect on both the regional economy and Arab pride.”
The UAE topped the polls once again when it came to the nation that most young Arabs wanted their own countries to emulate, according to 22 per cent of respondents.
It was then followed by the US (19 per cent), Canada (16 per cent), Qatar (15 per cent) with Saudi Arabia and the UK both with 11 per cent.
The survey noted this was the first appearance of Saudi Arabia in the list of countries to emulate since 2017.
“Today, GCC economies are increasingly investing in world-class infrastructure as they become dynamic hubs for trade, finance, tourism, education and healthcare,” said Mr John.
“Young Arabs see these countries as model nations because they appreciate the opportunities for jobs and prosperity being created and the potential to realise a better, more fulfilling life for themselves.”
The ease of obtaining a salary was also said to be key factor for 12 per cent of respondents.
This year’s survey was also the first time in nine years that three GCC nations had been named among the top five model nations.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Tomorrow 2021
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Country-size land deals
US interest in purchasing territory is not as outlandish as it sounds. Here's a look at some big land transactions between nations:
Louisiana Purchase
If Donald Trump is one who aims to broker "a deal of the century", then this was the "deal of the 19th Century". In 1803, the US nearly doubled in size when it bought 2,140,000 square kilometres from France for $15 million.
Florida Purchase Treaty
The US courted Spain for Florida for years. Spain eventually realised its burden in holding on to the territory and in 1819 effectively ceded it to America in a wider border treaty.
Alaska purchase
America's spending spree continued in 1867 when it acquired 1,518,800 km2 of Alaskan land from Russia for $7.2m. Critics panned the government for buying "useless land".
The Philippines
At the end of the Spanish-American War, a provision in the 1898 Treaty of Paris saw Spain surrender the Philippines for a payment of $20 million.
US Virgin Islands
It's not like a US president has never reached a deal with Denmark before. In 1917 the US purchased the Danish West Indies for $25m and renamed them the US Virgin Islands.
Gwadar
The most recent sovereign land purchase was in 1958 when Pakistan bought the southwestern port of Gwadar from Oman for 5.5bn Pakistan rupees.
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Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
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Men’s:
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1. |
United States |
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2. |
China |
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3. |
UAE |
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4. |
Japan |
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5 |
Norway |
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6. |
Canada |
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7. |
Singapore |
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8. |
Australia |
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9. |
Saudi Arabia |
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10. |
South Korea |
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