Unemployment Is Driving Young Arabs Into The Hands Of Islamic State, Says Survey
A survey of young people across the Arab world has found that a lack of jobs is seen as the biggest factor driving people into the arms of Islamic State, also known as ISIS or Daesh. The survey quizzed 3,500 people aged 18-24 in 16 Arab countries and 24% pointed to unemployment as the main recruiter […]Dominic Dudley writes for Forbes:
A survey of young people across the Arab world has found that a lack of jobs is seen as the biggest factor driving people into the arms of Islamic State, also known as ISIS or Daesh.
The survey quizzed 3,500 people aged 18-24 in 16 Arab countries and 24% pointed to unemployment as the main recruiter for the jihadi movement. Other factors they pointed to included the belief by those joining ISIS that their interpretation of Islam was superior to others (18%) and regional tensions between Sunni and Shia groups (17%).
Unemployment has long been a big problem around the region, in rich and poor countries alike. Frustration with a lack of job opportunities was a major factor behind the Arab Spring protests of 2010 and 2011, alongside other endemic ills such as corruption and suppression of political freedoms.
