An Omani explorer has just begun his journey to become the first Arab to reach the South Pole but he learned that his pioneering can also encourage the Arabic youth to empathise with those less fortunate than themselves.
…by Rory Coen.
Europe the preferred destination for most in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
By Steve Crabtree @Silatech
Prior to the unrest that swept the Middle East and North Africa this year, many of the region’s young people expressed a desire to migrate permanently. According to Gallup surveys conducted for The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs report, more than 4 in 10 young nationals aged 15 to 29 in Morocco (41%), Algeria (41%), and Tunisia (47%) said they would like to move permanently to another country if they had the opportunity. Young nationals in each of these countries were considerably more likely than those aged 30 and older to say they would like to move permanently.
About three-fourths of these potential migrants chose a European country as their preferred destination.
Some of those young North Africans who in 2010 expressed a desire to migrate permanently may have since been spurred to leave by the turmoil accompanying this year’s pro-democracy movements. Following the revolution in Tunisia, the small Italian island of Lampedusa was overrun by Tunisians seeking better economic opportunities. That exodus heightened concerns among some European leaders about illegal immigration from North African countries.
The result has been renewed debate about migration controls, with France and Italy lobbying to make it easier for EU member states to re-establish internal border security. As an EU official recently cautioned, European countries must balance the push for tighter controls against the likelihood that they will become increasingly dependent on young migrant labor as their populations grow older. The EU has called for “mobility partnerships” between European and North African countries to manage migration in ways that benefit both regions.
Preferred Destinations
Overall, about three-fourths of young potential migrants in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia named a country in the EU as their preferred destination. Fourteen percent chose the US or Canada, while 6% chose another Arab League country. Young women were somewhat more likely than young men to choose an Arab League country — 10% vs. 3%, respectively.
France was by far the most commonly chosen country, named by about one-third (34%) of those expressing a desire to migrate permanently. Italy (13%), Spain (9%), Canada (9%), the U.K. (7%), Germany (6%), and the U.S. (5%) were each named by at least 5%. Forty-three percent of young Tunisian nationals who said they would like to move chose France, as did 30% of Algerians and 27% of Moroccans.
Implications
Gallup data reveal a widespread desire to permanently migrate among young adults in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia even prior to this year’s unrest. Analysts have argued that the migration of North African workers to Europe could ease potentially severe European labour shortages in the coming decades. It could also bring North African countries badly needed income in the form of increased remittances and ease the pressure created by burgeoning youth populations in a region where jobs are scarce.
However, arrangements are needed to match supply with demand to ensure that migrants quickly become productive in their new homes. Given the strong focus of aspiring young Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian migrants on countries with which they have cultural ties or geographic proximity (predominantly France, Italy, and Spain), efforts to open expanded channels of migration to other European countries with aging populations will be important to maximize benefits to the EU as well as opportunities for migrants.
Bio:
These findings are based on the recently released fourth installment of Gallup’s report, The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs. This Silatech Index analysis is conducted by Gallup scientists and researchers pursuant to the Silatech-Gallup partnership. In addition to systematically measuring the perceptions of young people across the region on the challenges related to employment and entrepreneurship, Gallup analysts lead the effort in disseminating the findings of the Silatech Index to regional and global leaders and institutions engaged in addressing the challenges surrounding young people and employment in the region.
Survey Methods
Results from Morocco are based on face-to-face interviews with 870 country nationals, aged 15 to 29, conducted February through March and November 2010. Results from Algeria are based on face-to-face interviews with 903 country nationals, aged 15 to 29, conducted February through March and September through October 2010. Results from Tunisia are based on face-to-face interviews with 882 country nationals, aged 15 to 29, conducted February through April and September through October 2010.
For results based on these samples of young nationals, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error ranges from ±3.5 to ±3.9 percentage points. The margin of error reflects the influence of data weighting. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
By Birgit Radl-Wanko and Kevin Lamb
Why do some employees come to work filled with enthusiasm while others merely come to work and seem only to wait for the day to end? Why do some want to make a meaningful contribution while others mainly care about the paycheck? Most of us are likely to say the difference is in the employees and this may be true—but not entirely. Look at the factors that influence the level of energy and engagement of employees – and why it matters to businesses and their bottom line.
The recent QCB directive to shut the Islamic windows in conventional banking institutions was met with derision from a number of the banks, but the Islamic banks, such as Barwa Bank, are hoping this opportunity will help them compete in a very uncompromising industry. Steve Troop, CEO, Barwa Bank in an interview with Rory Coen
