The bulging youth population in the Gulf region can accelerate its development and help in building knowledge economies, says a survey report.

The six nations of the GCC are experiencing a unique demographic period in which one-half to one-third of their population is under 25 years of age. This presents GCC governments with an opportunity to propel their nations forward: These young people can bring creativity, energy, and productivity to the GCC national and regional economies, said the Booz & Co report titled:  'Youth in GCC Countries Meeting the Challenge.'

But the Booz & Company survey of young people in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE shows that there are challenges to overcome as well.

The survey report, by Dr Mona AlMunajjed and Dr Karim Sabbagh, shows that five areas are critical for public and private stakeholders to address are: Education, Employment,  Gender gap, Leisure activities and Community engagement.

GCC stakeholders are aware of both the opportunities and the challenges in these areas and are making good progress in addressing them. But a more universal, all-encompassing effort is needed to ensure that young people are fully engaged in GCC societies, including governments, private sectors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civic organizations, the report said.

The region needs a new paradigm that puts the region’s youth at the forefront of national policies, and involves young people themselves in building their future. Only such a holistic effort will allow the GCC to capitalise on this demographic dividend, it said.

'Young people want to influence all aspects of their country’s life, whether intellectual, artistic, cultural, educational, or political. In the workplace, their energy and brains fuel national economies and their achievements become the foundation for future development.

For all these reasons, the active participation of youth is vital for the progress and momentum of any society,' the report said.

One-third to one-half of the GCC population is under the age of 25. People under 25 account for 51.5 percent of the population in Oman, 50.8 percent in Saudi Arabia, 43.9 percent in Bahrain, 37.7 percent in Kuwait, 33.8 percent in Qatar, and 31 percent in the UAE.

Even though GCC youth live in a relatively prosperous region, the survey found that they are concerned about their economic well-being.

When they answered the question: “What do you think are the major challenges affecting the GCC region today?”, the high cost of living ranked number one, and it was followed by unemployment and the economic crisis triggered by the global downturn. Lack of affordable housing was fourth.

Answers again centered on finances when respondents were asked “What are the major concerns/challenges in your life?” The top-ranked reply was the high cost of living, followed by finding a suitable job on completion of education, and unemployment.

The survey also revealed discrepancies in gender expectations. The desire of women for equal opportunities in education and employment is not fully matched by a willingness on the part of men to support complete equality. This disparity will be a major dynamic playing out among youth in Gulf societies in the years ahead, the report said.

Finally, the survey results made clear the encouraging trend that GCC youth today want to be decision makers and agents of change. Tellingly, 63 percent of those questioned said the government should “give young people increased access to [the] decision-making process and policy implementation at [the] local level”.

The report suggests that GCC governments can initiate the long-term task of creating a new youth paradigm with a number of concrete steps. They include:
* Development of a comprehensive national youth strategy blueprint in each GCC country that takes into consideration the needs and aspirations of young people.
* Setting up of a high-level committee for youth affairs in each GCC country to be responsible for formulating plans to deal with youth-related issues.

* Establishment of a dialogue with young people and allow them to take an active role in policymaking, recognising them as key participants in the decision-making processes that affect them and their future. - TradeArabia News Service