Arab Youth Look to a Future Abroad: A Growing Trend of Emigration From the MENA Region

Nearly half of Arab youth in the Levant and North Africa want to leave their home countries. Consequently, they seek better opportunities and stability, according to a recent survey.

Personal Stories Drive Migration Dreams

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Nora, an Egyptian dentist, wants to emigrate despite knowing the challenges of leaving her home. “In the past, living in a strange country was difficult. Out of an entire family, one person would travel for a short time and return. Today, however, everyone travels. Half of my family travels, half of my friends have emigrated, and the rest look for ways to emigrate. Furthermore, none of them want to return.”

Half of my family travels, half of my friends have emigrated, and the rest look for ways to emigrate. Furthermore, none of them want to return.

Moreover, she told The Media Line she was not worried about living in a strange country. “I know that wherever I go, my efforts will not go to waste. Additionally, my rights will get legal protection. I know I will have psychological and financial security, which will help me live away from home,” the 32-year-old woman said.

Similarly, Khalil Mansour, a Jordanian taxi driver, also wants to emigrate. He would like to go to Sweden. His son Tariq emigrated there three years ago with help from a relative who sponsored him. “If I could emigrate, I would leave tomorrow morning,” he told The Media Line.

If I could emigrate, I would leave tomorrow morning

Likewise, Khalil’s explanation matched Nora’s. “The economic situation here is bad. At the same time, the government shows no respect for you. In contrast, you work hard abroad, knowing you will get treatment as a respected citizen.”

Meanwhile, Rania Khalil holds an Egyptian doctorate in aquatic animal health. She knows what she wants from life. “I have three types of jobs I want abroad. However, my problem is that I can’t find anyone to sponsor or recommend me for those jobs.”

Success Stories Inspire Others

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Tony Nassim is a Palestinian from Bethlehem. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international business in the US. Initially, he returned to Palestine to work as a television producer. After a while, however, the funding stopped, and he found himself in debt. Subsequently, he emigrated to the US, opened a restaurant, and met and married a woman from North Africa. They have a child and have no plans to return to Palestine.

Ultimately, these individuals are part of a much larger group of young Arabs. They want to emigrate to Canada, France, Germany, the US, and the UK.

Survey Reveals Regional Differences

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A recent study of Arab youth by ASDA’A BCW found significant regional variations. This Middle East consultancy surveyed youth across different Arab regions. They discovered that 53% of youth in the Levant want to emigrate. The Levant includes Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria, and Yemen. In North Africa, 48% express the same desire. North Africa includes Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, South Sudan, and Tunisia. Primarily, economics drives their emigration desires.

However, only 27% of youth in Gulf countries share this sentiment. Gulf countries include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Instead, most Gulf respondents said they would “never leave their country.”

Furthermore, SixthFactor Consulting conducted face-to-face interviews with 3,600 people aged 18 to 24. The poll maintained equal gender distribution. They completed the survey in March and April 2023.

Economic Outlook Drives Migration Desires

The survey report connects emigration desires with economic pessimism in many Arab nations. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents in the Levant view their national economy negatively. They believe it goes in the “wrong direction.” Similarly, about two-thirds (62%) in North Africa share this view.

In contrast, Gulf-based youth show optimism. 88% believe their country’s economy heads in the “right direction.”

The International Labor Organization reports youth unemployment exceeding 25% in the Middle East. This represents the highest and fastest-growing rate globally. Therefore, getting a job naturally becomes a priority for young Arabs. Among those considering emigration, nearly half (49%) cite job searching as their motivation.

Youth Remain Optimistic Despite Challenges

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Despite economic fears, more than two-thirds (69%) of Arab youth believe their best days lie ahead. This represents a 5% increase over 2022. Youth in the Gulf show the most hope (85%). North Africa follows with 64%, and the Levant with 60%.

Furthermore, youth optimism in the region reaches its peak compared with four years ago. Today, 57% say they will have a better life than their parents. This compares with 45% who said this in 2019. Gulf youth show the highest positivity (75%). Young Arabs in the Levant follow with 52%, and North Africa with 50%.

Additionally, the respondents shared their plans for the next ten years. They plan to start a career (18%), complete their education (17%), and pursue personal interests they are passionate about (15%).

Historical Migration Patterns

While emigration desires escalate across the Middle East and North Africa, some regions show long-standing patterns. Lebanon and Palestine, especially among Christians, have experienced emigration for decades. Christians in Palestine represented 20-25% of the population in the early 20th century. Today, however, they make up less than 1%.

Lebanon conducted its last official census in 1932. It found that 53% of the country’s population was Christian. Today, however, Christians make up no more than 32% of the country’s people.

The Arab Barometer identifies Lebanese as “the most pessimistic” about their country’s economic future. This applies to any country surveyed between 2020 and spring 2021.

Lebanese are the most pessimistic

Lebanon Faces Unique Challenges

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The rising cost of living presents the biggest challenge. As a result, about half of Lebanon’s citizens (48%) seek to leave their homeland for better opportunities abroad. Many also cite corruption (44%), personal security (29%), and politics (22%) as reasons for wanting to immigrate. This suggests that Lebanon’s citizens feel deeply frustrated by political failings that led to the economic crisis.

Palestinian Migration Patterns

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research conducted a survey in late January and early February 2020. It found that Christians show more eagerness than Muslims to emigrate from the Palestinian territories.

Among respondents, 36% of Palestinian Christians favored emigration. In comparison, this compares to 21% of Palestinian Muslims. Most cite economics, but others seek educational opportunities abroad, safety, stability, less corruption, and greater liberty and religious tolerance.

In addition, the poll found other reasons for Palestinian emigration, including the Israeli occupation. Respondents complained about Israeli military checkpoints, attacks by Jewish settlers, and Israeli land confiscations. Most respondents told interviewers that the Israeli occupation aims to expel them from their homeland.