Research Portfolio
The Observatory's research portfolio examines the social issues and emerging trends influencing communities across the Arab world, through regional surveys, comparative studies, and rigorous scientific analysis.
Arab Youth and Climate Change
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Participation
Climate change has become one of the defining challenges influencing societies, economies, and future generations. Understanding public awareness and attitudes is essential for developing effective environmental policies and promoting sustainable development across the Arab region.
This study examines perceptions, attitudes, and participation in climate change across nine Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, and Mauritania. Based on a regional survey comprising 51.1% male and 48.9% female respondents, the study explores climate awareness, demographic differences, perceptions of climate change, institutional responsibility, government performance, and environmentally responsible behaviours.
1 Climate Change Awareness
The findings demonstrate a high level of public awareness of climate change across the Arab world. Overall, 68% of respondents expressed interest in climate change, while 24% reported being somewhat interested and only 8% indicated that they were not interested. The United Arab Emirates recorded the highest level of interest (75%), followed by Saudi Arabia and Oman (74%), Jordan (71%), Morocco (65%), and Iraq (56%).
2 Demographic Differences
The study found that interest in climate change varies across demographic groups. Respondents with higher educational attainment showed greater levels of interest (77.8%) compared with those with basic education (60.3%). Interest also increased with age, particularly among respondents aged 25–35 years, and was higher among men, higher-income groups, employed individuals, and married respondents with children.
3 Perceptions of Climate Change
Approximately 70% of respondents identified human activity as the primary cause of climate change. Agreement was highest in Oman (77%), followed by Jordan and Mauritania (73%), and Sudan (71%). Younger respondents, higher-income groups, and employed individuals were more likely to attribute climate change to human activities.
4 Perceived Impacts
Participants demonstrated a strong awareness of the consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures (60%) were identified as the most significant impact, followed by increased energy consumption (38%), desertification (37%), loss of biodiversity (35%), and rising sea levels and coastal flooding (30%). Respondents also recognised loss of wildlife (19%), higher food prices (18%), and declining public health and well-being (17%).
5 Responsibility for Climate Action
Respondents viewed climate action primarily as a shared institutional responsibility. More than half (52%) believed that institutions should play the leading role in addressing climate change, followed by national governments (45%), regional and international organisations (43%), and individuals (31%).
6 Government Performance
Public opinion regarding government efforts to address climate change was mixed. 37.5% of respondents considered current environmental initiatives to be largely insufficient, while 31.2% believed existing efforts were completely inadequate. In comparison, 29.7% felt that current initiatives were generally appropriate. 50.7% supported increasing government efforts to combat climate change.
7 Sustainable Environmental Practices
The most common sustainable practices included recycling and waste reduction (34%), purchasing energy-efficient household appliances (28%), buying organic food (28%), and using environmentally friendly transportation (27%). Respondents also reported reducing single-use plastics, adopting sustainable transport, and reducing meat consumption.
8 Interactive Dashboard
The Climate Change dashboard enables users to explore the study through interactive maps, comparative country indicators, and dynamic visualisations. Visitors can compare results across countries, examine demographic differences, and access key findings through an interactive research experience.
Arab Social Cohesion Index
Social cohesion is a cornerstone of stable, inclusive, and resilient societies. The Arab Social Cohesion Index examines citizens' perceptions of social cohesion and explores the factors that influence trust, tolerance, equality, and social inclusion across the Arab world.
1 Social Cohesion Across the Arab World
Overall, 51.2% of respondents described social cohesion in their societies as weak, while 38.6% considered it moderate, and only 10.2% viewed it as strong. Egypt recorded the highest positive assessment (81.04%), followed by Morocco (54.9%) and Jordan (54.6%), while Lebanon (24.8%), Libya (32.7%), and Tunisia (45.7%) recorded the lowest positive evaluations.
2 Demographic Characteristics
The study found no statistically significant differences between men and women in their perceptions of social cohesion. However, younger respondents were more likely to evaluate social cohesion negatively than older generations, while respondents with higher educational attainment demonstrated a more critical assessment.
3 Social Cohesion by Demographic Groups
Respondents under thirty were more likely to describe social cohesion as weak (52.7%) compared with those over thirty (49.5%). Negative evaluations increased among respondents with university education (53.6%) compared with individuals without formal education, among whom 17.1% described social cohesion as strong.
4 Social Inequality Index
65.2% of respondents believe that social inequality is widespread within their societies, while 20.3% perceived inequality as moderate and only 14.5% considered it limited. Perceptions of inequality increased with educational attainment.
5 Tolerance Index
Younger respondents demonstrated higher levels of tolerance than older age groups. Respondents under thirty reported higher levels of tolerance (13.1%) compared with those over thirty (10.8%). The study found a positive relationship between educational attainment and tolerance.
6 Institutional Trust Index
20.2% of respondents expressed strong trust in institutions, while 38.3% reported moderate levels of trust and 41.5% indicated low or no trust — revealing an approximately nine-percentage-point gap between institutional trust in the Arab world and the global average.
7 Interactive Dashboard
The Arab Social Cohesion Index dashboard provides an interactive platform for exploring regional trends and comparing country-level indicators through dynamic maps, comparative charts, and visual analytics.
Eight core research themes
The Observatory's multidisciplinary research programme addresses the most significant social transformations affecting individuals, families, institutions, and communities.
Public Opinion & Surveys
Measuring public-opinion trends and levels of trust toward public issues and institutions.
Social Cohesion
Studying trust, tolerance, equality, and social inclusion across communities.
Family & Community Development
Tracking transformations in the Arab family and its role in community development.
Mental Health & Well-being
Exploring life satisfaction, mental health, and community well-being.
Youth & Future Generations
Understanding the aspirations of Arab youth and their outlook on future issues.
Artificial Intelligence & Society
Analyzing perceptions of trust in AI and its impact on Arab societies.
Climate Change & Society
Studying climate awareness and sustainable environmental behaviours across the Arab world.
Work, Education & Social Development
Tracking shifts in the labour market and education and their impact on sustainable social development.
