Residents of Qatar and Oman are the most optimistic about their economies of 16 countries Gallup surveyed in the Middle East and North Africa in early 2011. Residents of Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, the Palestinian Territories, and Bahrain are among the least optimistic.
Preference for large families highlights Gulf region's need for job growth
May 24, 2011
Nationals in five Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries rate their lives more positively than residents in other Arab states. They also put the ideal number of children in a family at about four, on average, highlighting the ongoing need for job growth to accommodate the region's large youth population.
Countries with the highest wellbeing tend to be the most peaceful
May 13, 2011
The countries with the highest wellbeing tend to be the most peaceful and those with the lowest wellbeing are the least likely to be peaceful. The findings are from a new Gallup analysis revealing a strong relationship between Gallup's life evaluation measure and two indicators of country stability.
Last fall, 41% of respondents said they had trouble affording shelter in the past year
March 31, 2011
As anti-government protests continue in Bahrain, recent surveys reveal the country's housing shortage is among the public's most pressing economic concerns. In October 2010, 41% of adults surveyed in Bahrain said there were times in the past year when they did not have enough money to pay for adequate shelter.
Many young Arabs less likely to say leaders harness their talents
February 9, 2011
Young people in several Arab countries became less likely in 2010 to believe their leadership fully uses their human capital. Young Egyptians' perceptions experienced one of the largest declines: fewer than 3 in 10 say Egypt's leadership maximizes youth potential, down from almost 4 in 10 in 2009.
Adults in sub-Saharan Africa and former Soviet countries struggle most
December 23, 2010
At a time of year when thoughts often turn to those less fortunate, Gallup finds the struggle to afford adequate housing disproportionately affects residents in sub-Saharan Africa and the former Soviet Union.
Those planning to start a business in the next 12 months more likely to be employed
November 17, 2010
Young people in the Arab League are nearly four times as likely as those in North America or Europe to plan to start businesses in the next year, according to 2010 findings from The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs.
Among 116 countries Gallup surveyed last year, the median proportion of adults who reported having Internet access at home was 19%. However, the proportion was greater than 75% in 15 countries that span several global regions.
Median of 27% across Arab League countries intend to start a business in the next year
February 26, 2010
"The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs" report reveals widespread entrepreneurial ambitions among Arabs aged 15 to 29. Across 20 Arab League countries surveyed, a median 27% of young Arabs who were not already business owners said they intended to start a business in the next 12 months.
U.S. is top destination for young Arabs with entrepreneurial aspirations
February 23, 2010
In Arab countries, young people who are employed, highly educated, and aspire to create their own business are those most likely to say they would like to leave their country permanently, if they had the opportunity. The findings are based on Gallup's latest report, "The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs."
