Middle East Youth Share Their Top Goals for a Sustainable Future
Young people in the Middle East are becoming more interested in sustainability and care deeply about solving global problems. PwC’s Middle East Youth Outlook 2024 report shows that youth aged 10 to 30 in the region are increasingly aware of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how these goals impact their future. Their concerns and priorities play an important role in creating a fairer and more sustainable future.
The report also highlights different views on who leads positive change in the region. About 65% of young people in the Middle East think governments are the main drivers of change for people and the planet. This is higher than the global average, where only 38% of youth believe governments are doing enough on sustainability. However, just 45% of Middle Eastern youth think non-governmental and international organizations are taking the lead on environmental and social issues. This shows there’s room for these groups to do more and involve young people in meaningful projects.
Middle Eastern youth prioritize two key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First is SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, with 81% saying it’s very important. This is critical because the region is one of the most water-stressed in the world—83% of the population already faces extreme water shortages, and this could rise to 100% by 2050, according to the Water Resources Institute. To address this, countries like Saudi Arabia are investing in renewable energy-powered desalination and water reuse projects, including $4 billion for 96 infrastructure projects announced at the 10th World Water Forum in Indonesia last May.
The second priority is SDG 4: Quality Education, also rated very important by 81% of youth. They believe quality education is vital for empowering future generations and improving social mobility. Qatar has made notable progress in this area with initiatives like Education City, which hosts eight universities (e.g., Georgetown University in Qatar, Hamad Bin Khalifa University) and 13 schools, serving over 10,000 students.
Middle Eastern youth rank SDG 3—Good Health and Wellbeing—as their third most important priority, with 76% considering it “very important.” This shows growing concern about health issues in the region. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart problems cause 69-83% of deaths in the GCC, making it one of the most affected areas in the world. In addition, about 39% of young people in the Middle East lived in conflict zones in 2022, according to the Peace Research Institute Oslo. This has led to problems like malnutrition, mental health challenges, and other health concerns. To address this, healthcare systems are improving, focusing on prevention and mental health support. For example, Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance Law, introduced in 2018, aims to provide health coverage for all citizens by 2032, reducing inequality and ensuring access to care for everyone.
The fourth priority for youth is SDG 16—Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—with 75% rating it as “very important.” This highlights their belief in the need for transparent governance and strong institutions to build stable societies. In the U.A.E., initiatives like the Dubai Government Excellence Program are helping to improve governance and accountability.
For Middle Eastern youth, “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2) is their fifth most important goal, with 73% considering it very important. Food security is a big concern as young people worry about rising food prices, unequal access to healthy meals, and how climate change affects farming. Over 40 million people in the Middle East face serious food shortages, including more than 11.7 million in crisis-level conditions, according to the World Food Programme. Saudi Arabia is working to improve food security through its National Transformation Program, focusing on sustainable farming and new technologies to boost food production.
Published: 26th November 2024
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