Fourth Annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey 2012

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller commissioned Penn Schoen Berland (PSB) to carry out
the survey among Arab national youth aged 18-24 in 12 Middle East countries: the
six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar,
Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait), Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and, for the first time,
Libya and Tunisia.

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

• Views of the impact of the Arab Spring
• Economic and social concerns
• Attitudes towards democracy
• Views of foreign nations
• Personal and social values
• Media consumption trends
• Social media habits

The study was commissioned to explore attitudes among Arab national youth in
12 Middle East countries.

PSB conducted 2,500 face-to-face interviews among respondents aged 18-24
from December 2011-January 2012. Sample details are given below:
New in New in
2011 2012
UAE Oman Qatar Bahrain KSA Kuwait Egypt Jordan Lebanon Iraq Tunisia Libya
N=250 N=150 N=200 N=200 N=250 N=200 N=250 N=200 N=200 N=200 N=200 N=200
Kuwait City - East Beirut – Baghdad (50%)
Dubai – 40% Jeddah – 40% Cairo – 50% Amman – 50% Tunis (50%) Tripoli (50%)
20% 40%
Muscat – 50% Doha – 55%
Al Hawalli – Alexandria – West Beirut – Benghazi
Sharjah – 20% Riyadh – 40% Irbid – 25% Irbil (25%) Safaqis (25%)
Manama – 30th 25% 40% (25%)
100% Al Ahmadi –
Batinah –
Abu Dhabi – Al Rayyan – Dammam – 20% Mansoura –
50% Zarqa – 25% Tripoli – 20% Basrah (25%) Susah (25%) Misrata (25%)
40% 45% 20% Al Farwaniya – 25%
30%

• 2008/09 research was conducted using an online methodology
• 2009/10 and 2010/11 research was completed face-to-face
• 2012 data was weighted by market to ensure equal representation within the sample

Egyptians return to
Tahrir Square to protest
Protests in against the military
Suicide of Benghazi, Libya, (18.11.11)
Tunisian erupt
vendor leads Mass protests (16.2.11) Palestinian bid Tunisia celebrates one
to first against Mubarak Mubarak goes for UN year from ousting its
protests regime Osama Bin Laden on trial Statehood leader
(17.12.10) (25.1.11) killed by US forces (3.8.11) (25.09.11) (19.12.11)
(2.5.11)

January February March April May June July August September October November December January

Tunisian Mubarak charged Gaddafi killed
President
President Ben with murder (25.10.11)
Mubarak
Ali flees to (21.5.11)
resigns
Saudi Arabia
(11.2.11)
(14.1.11) ICC issues arrest AYS 2012
Protests spread warrant for Dec. 2011/
to Syria Qaddafi Jan. 2012
AYS 2011 (23.3.11) (21.5.11)
NATO
Dec. 2010/ intervenes in
Jan. 2011 Libya
(19.3.11)

FAIR PAY AND HOME HIGH COST OF LIVING ARAB YOUTH SAY THAT REGIONAL YOUTH SEE ARAB YOUTH FEEL AN
OWNERSHIP DISPLACE REMAINS THE LACK OF DEMOCRACY THE ARAB SPRING AS A INCREASED SENSE OF
DESIRE FOR GREATEST CONCERN AND CIVIL UNREST ARE POSITIVE TRUST IN
DEMOCRACY AMONG ARAB YOUTH THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT BUT
AS TOP PRIORITY OBSTACLES FACING NOW FEEL GREATER HAVE HEIGHTENED
THEM & THE REGION OPTIMISM ABOUT THE CONCERNS ABOUT
FUTURE CORRUPTION

THE ARAB SPRING WILL TRADITIONAL VALUES THE UAE IS SEEN AS A ARAB YOUTH SEE NEWS CONSUMPTION
NOT SPREAD FURTHER, ARE BEING MODEL NATION BY FRANCE MOST SKYROCKETS, TV
ACCORDING TO THE INCREASINGLY MIDDLE EAST YOUTH FAVOURABLY AMONG VIEWERSHIP DECLINES
REGION’S YOUTH CHALLENGED BY A ALL FOREIGN & BLOGS ARE
MODERN OUTLOOK COUNTRIES; VIEWS OF BOOMING
CHINA AND INDIA ARE
ALSO INCREASINGLY
POSITIVE

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

82

68 70
63 65 64
61 62 62
58 58 57 58
55 55 54
51 51 50 50

2011 2012

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

90
87
84 85
82 81 80 81 82 82 83
78
74 75 75
71
67 67 66 68 68 67
65 66 66
66 65 65 66 67
62 63 58 63
60 60 60 60 61 58
58 58 58 59 58 59 59 59 60 60
55
52 52 53 54 52
50 49 50 50 50
48
46
43

33

Being paid a fair wage Owning my own home Living in a democratic country Living without fear of Having access to high speed
terrorism internet

Among All Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Bahrain
Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya
Lebanon Tunisia Jordan

Rising cost of living 63
57
Dangers of drugs 49
39
The economy 48
35
Threat of terrorism 46

The loss of traditional values… 44
32
Unemployment 44
42
Standard of living 43
43 Q: How concerned
Opportunities for women 40
43 would you say you are
41 about each of the
Middle East conflicts 28 following issues?
Human rights 41
38 (% very concerned)
Corruption in government and… 42
16
Rise of Islamist movements/role… 40
40
Civil unrest 40

Transport and road safety 39
31
Personal debt 38

The quality of education 37
31

2012 2011 Added in 2012

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

74

68
64 65 65
63 63 63 63
60 6162 60 60
62 59 59 59
58 5757 58
56 55 56
53 54 54 54
52
49 50 504651 51 51 51
49
48 48 48 48 47
46 46 46 46 46
44 43 44 43 44 41 44 4443
42 42 41
39 4041 37
39
41
37 3635
33 32 32
31
27
25
23 22

Rising cost of living Dangers of drugs The economy Threat of terrorism The loss of traditional values and Unemployment
culture

Among All Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunisia Jordan

46
Corruption in gov't and public life 42
16
The economy 33
24
Unemployment 27
33
Human rights 25
26
Middle East conflicts 22
12
Personal debt 19
15
Loss of traditional values & culture 19
16
Dangers of drugs 18
21
International conflicts 15 Q: Which of the following
12
Crime / law and order 15 would you say is the biggest
13
The gap between rich and poor 14
21
challenge facing the Middle
Standard of living in your country 10
14 East today? (%)
Civil unrest 11
10
Shortage of affordable housing 10
11
Quality of education 10
15
Rise of Islamist movements/role of… 9
6
Opportunities for women 9
18
Shortage of good quality health care 8
7
Lack of political franchise 8
6
Access to clean water 7
8
Reliable electricity supply 6
11
Censorship/lack of press freedom 6
9
Climate change & environment 6 2012 2011
12

54
52
42
Corruption in gov't and public life 41
43
36
The gap between the rich & poor 37
35
33
The economy 34
32
27
Unemployment 29
25 Q: Which of the following
25
Human rights 27 would you say is the biggest
22
Middle East conflicts
22
23
challenge facing the Middle
21 East today? (%)
20
Domestic political instability 20
19
19
Personal debt 22
17
19 Among All GCC Non- GCC
Loss of traditional values & culture 23
16
18
Dangers of drugs 23
13
16
Threat of terrorism 19
13
15
International conflicts 17
14
15
Crime /law and order 19
11
14
Standard of living 12
15
11
11
11
Civil unrest 11
11

Q: What do you believe is the biggest obstacle facing the Middle East? (%)

55 55
53
49 48
45 46 45 44 45
42 43
41 41 40 41 41 42
39 39 37 38 38 37
36 3534
32
28 29 30 30
28 2930
26 27 27 27 26 27 2626 27
25 24 24 25
22 2221 23 242423 22 23 22
20 21
19 1918
16

10

Civil unrest Lack of democracy Palestinian-Israeli conflict Lack of Arab unity Lack of political direction
Among all Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Bahrain
Lebanon Tunsia Jordan

Q: What do you believe is the biggest obstacle facing the Middle East? (%)

44 43
41 41 40
37

30 29
27 27
25 25 24
23 22

Civil unrest Lack of democracy Palestinian-Israeli conflict Lack of Arab unity Lack of political direction

Among all GCC Non-GCC

Q: 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? (%)

12 11

27
30
Don't know

Wrong Direction

Right Direction

58 62

2011 2012

Q: 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)

88 87

77 79
76 74 74
73 71
67 68 68
64
60 60
55 57 57 55
47 49 50

38
35 33 35

Saudi UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunsia Jordan GCC Non -GCC
Arabia
2011 2012

Q: How far do you agree or disagree with the following? (%)

Agree a lot/somewhat Disagree somewhat/a lot Don't know

Following the uprisings across the
Arab world, I feel the Arab world 72 24 4
is better off

As a result of the uprising, I feel I
71 24 5
will be better off in five years

Following the uprising, I am
personally better off now than I 68 28 4
was a year ago

Q: How far do you agree or disagree with the following?
(% agree a lot/somewhat)

84 80 84
72 74 73 76 75
71 69 68 68 72
63 62 62 59
46 48 47
41 38 40 38 35

Following the uprisings across As a result of the uprising, I Following the uprising, I am Recent changes in my country Following the uprising in the
the Arab world, I feel the Arab feel I will be better off in five personally better off now than makes me feel anxious about Arab world, I feel uncertain
world is better off years I was a year ago what the future holds about the future of my
country
Among All Egypt Bahrain Tunsia Libya

Q: Which of the following statements is closer to your view? (%)

4 1 5 5
6 6 6 6 7 7 7 6 9
16
20
24 24 33
28 29 28 27 26 Don't Know
33 35
50

I feel anxious
about what the
future will bring
81
76
66 70 70 66 66
66 65 66 I feel optimistic
61 60
about what the
46 future holds for
my country

Among Saudi UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunsia Jordan
All Arabia


7 8 4 8 8 8
10 9 9 13 13
15 15

18 20 Don't know
24 33 29
31 37 33 26
32
34 34
53

I feel like I
have fewer
opportunities
now than I did
73 73 a year ago
70
60 61 63 63 I feel like I
56 59 56
52 52 have more
39 opportunities
now than I did
a year ago

Among Saudi UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunisia Jordan
All Arabia


8 6 8 8 9 6 8 7 6 7
13 11 13
9
18 13 17
20 17 20 20
15 22 29 19
40
Don't know

Our best days are
behind us.
85 Our best days are
77 79 76 ahead of us.
72 73 74 72 73
68 64 69
55

Among Saudi UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunisia Jordan
All Arabia

Q: How far do you agree or disagree with the following?
(% agree a lot/somewhat )
86
84
80
75 76 75 75 76
74
72

63 Q: How far do you agree or disagree with
57 the following? (%)
51
Your government has become more
trustworthy and transparent since the
Arab Spring

Agree a lot/somewhat Disagree a lot/somewhat

72 18 10

Your government has become more
trustworthy and transparent since the
Arab Spring

Among All Saudi Araia UAE Kuwait Bahrain

Q: How concerned are you about the
following issue? (% very concerned)
66

Q: How concerned are you about the
following issue? (% very concerned)
47
45
42 41 41 42
40
38 38 38
36
35 Corruption in 42
government and
public life 16

2012 2011

Corruption in government and
public life
Among All Saudi Arabia UAE Kuwait Bahrain

Q: Do you think the protests will Q: If yes, which countries do you think the
spread to any new Arab countries? protests are most likely to spread to next?
(%)

Yes No Don't know

17
24

59

Q: Do you think the protests will spread to any new Arab countries? (%)

14 14 11 13 14 15
17 17 19 18 18 21 20
28 24

31

62 62 57
53 Don't know
59 66 62 58 60
75 62 61 No
60
60
Yes

56

30 28 26 28
24 20 22 24 22
17 18 19
12 11

Among Saudi UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunisia Jordan GCC Non
All Arabia GCC

Q: Which of the following is closest to your view? (%)

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

65 Traditional values are out-dated
and belong in the past. I am keen
83
to embrace modern values and
beliefs.

35
17

2011 2012

Q: Which of the following is closest to your view? (%)

Among All 65 35

GCC 68 32
Non GCC 63 37

Traditional values mean a
lot to me, and ought to be
Libya 82 18 preserved for generations
UAE 79 21 to come.
Saudi Arabia 78 22 Traditional values are
Bahrain 68 32 out-dated and belong in
Oman 64 36 the past. I am keen to
embrace modern values
Egypt 63 37
and beliefs.
Kuwait 60 40
Lebanon 59 41
Qatar 59 41
Jordan 59 41
Iraq 58 42
Tunisia 56 44

Q: Which country in the world would you Q: As your country develops, which
most like your country to be like? (%) country’s model of growth and development
would you like your country to follow? (%)
40
28
18 16 United Arab Emirates 27

United Arab Emirates Turkey Saudi Arabia Qatar United States 19

China 19

Q: Which country in the world would you like
to live in? (%) France 17

33

17 Germany 17
16 16 14

Turkey 16
United Arab France United Turkey Saudi Arabia
Emirates States
United Kingdom 12

Q: Which country in the world would you most like your country
to be like? (%)
33
50 48
42 44 43 42 25 25
40 40 41 38 38
UAE 34 KSA 18 18 19 19
15 14
20 12 12
10 10

Among All KSA UAE Kuwait Bahrain Qatar Oman
Egypt Iraq Libya Lebanon Tunisia Jordan

19 20 20
42
16 17
35 34 35 14 14 14 13 13
28 29 29 28 27 29 12
Turkey 22
25 Qatar 10 9
18

Q: Which country in the world would you like
to live in? (%) 28
43 22
38 38 37 20 19
33 33 34 33 17 16 17
30 31 29 16
28 15
UAE 21 Turkey 11
9 10
8

22 22 28
21
19 19 20 18
17 17 21
16 18
14
15
France 11
9
Saudi Arabia 14 14
12 13 12
10 9
8
6

28

18 18 18 Among All KSA UAE Kuwait
16 16 16 16
United States 15
12
15
Bahrain Qatar Oman Egypt
11
8 Iraq Lebanon Tunisia Libya
Jordan

Q: As your country develops, which country’s model of growth and
development would you like your country to follow? (%)
36 21 Among All
20 19 20
31 29 30 29 17 17 17 18 19 KSA
27 27 25 27 27 15 UAE
23 24 13
UAE France 12
10
Kuwait
Bahrain
12 Qatar
Oman
Egypt
Iraq
Libya
25 25 Lebanon
24 23 26 Tunisia
21 22 20 22 23
19 18 20 19 Jordan
United 16 17
15 16
17
13
11
13 Germany 12 12
States 9 10

32
26
23 23
19 17 21 20 18 19 17 18 18
China 15 17 16 18 18 Turkey 16
13 13 12 12
16

8 6

Q: How favourable are you to the following countries?
(% very favourable)

46
44 43
41 41
39
34 34 2010
30 31
29 28 27 29 28
25 2011
23
20
2012

France Germany China United Kingdom United States India

Q: How favourable are you to the following countries?
(% very favourable)

58 61 61 63
45 43 46 44 47 46 42
United 34 36 37 37 37 41
36
28 30 32 France 28 31
Kingdom 21 22
15

39 38 68
37 35 56
31 33 30 30
33 52
47
26 27 44 41 42 43
United 21 23 Germany 35 39 32
29 25
States
Among All
KSA
UAE
61 58
42 Kuwait
52 Bahrain
33 34 43
28
31 30 29 28 29 41 41 43 Qatar
24 32 35 30 33 Oman
India 19
16
19 China 22
27 Egypt
Iraq
Libya
Lebanon
Tunisia
Jordan

Q: How often do you update yourself
on news and current affairs? (%)
Daily/nearly Daily/nearly
Country every day every day
2012 2011
GCC 72 48
52
Non-GCC 73 30
Tunisia 76 -
Oman 76 43
33
Kuwait 75 63
Bahrain 75 37

18 Saudi Arabia 75 36
Libya 74 -
Jordan 72 16
Qatar 71 81
Egypt 71 48
Daily Lebanon 71 27
Iraq 70 34
2010 2011 2012
UAE 63 31

Q: Where do you get your news? (%)

79
76

65
62 62

51
47
42 41

32 31 29
25

15 14 17
10
6

Television Online Newspapers Friends and family Radio Magazines
2010 2011 2012

Q: In your opinion what is the most trusted source of news? (%)

60
52
49

26
19 18 18

9 11 9
4 3 3 2
1 1

TV news channels Newspapers Websites Social Media Radio shows Magazines

2010 2011 2012

Added in 2012

Q: How often do you generally use the Internet?
(% daily)
Daily Daily
Country
2012 2011

GCC 82 81
2012 82% Non-GCC 81 78
Saudi Arabia 91 78
UAE 87 77
Libya 86 -
Jordan 85 82

2011
80% Lebanon
Bahrain
85
82
86
82
Qatar 81 92
Iraq 80 79
Egypt 79 68

2010 56% Tunisia 79 -
Kuwait 78 79
Oman 77 82

Q: What do you do when you are online? (%)

66
61 62 60
58 58 56

47
43 41
36 37
32 34 33
29 30 28 28 28 29
25 25 27
24 22 24 23 22
19 20 18 18
15 16 14 12 16 14
12 11
8 8 10
5

2010 2011 2012

Q: What do you do on blogs? (%) Q: Where do the blogs that you read
come from? (%)

48 90
39
58
15
6 24

I read blogs I post on a blogI have myI own blog on other people's blogs
comment
My country The Middle East The West

Q: What kinds of blogs do you read? (%)

53
45
30 31
24 20 18

Fashion and current affairs
News TechnologyCelebrity news and nutrition
Health Cookery Politics Base: All who blog

Q: Thinking about social networking, which of Q: Where do the people you are
the following applies to you? (%) friends with come from?(%)

62 94

22 50
11
19
wnIFacebook accountaccount but Idon't tend to post or upload
have a Facebook that I actively update a Facebook account
don't have
Q: Who are the types of people that you are friends with
on Facebook?(%)

92

26
13 8 7 6 5 4

Base: All who use Facebook

Q: Thinking about Twitter, which of the Q: Where do the people you follow on
following applies to you? (%) Twitter come from? (%)

49
39 92
67
15

ill respond to other peopleIsactively post Tweetsfollow but do not post
Tweets I
13
Q: Who are the types of people that you tend
to follow? (%)

86

45
21 12 12 9 9

Base: All who use Twitter

Fourth Annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey 2012

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Fourth Annual ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey 2012