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According to a recent report by The Economist, the possibility of expatriates obtaining citizenship may become easier in the future as the Gulf states try to adapt to a post-oil world. In the UAE, where expats make up nearly 90 percent of a population of 10 million, it hopes to attract another 3 million to 5 million. The path to permanent residency and even citizenship may become easier as the Gulf state seeks to diversify its economy and compete in global markets, according to The Economist.
Overall, the report highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Arab oil states in preparing their citizens for a post-oil future. From the perspective of the diaspora, this article shows that these countries are transitioning to more free and open societies, but this transition can also create social instability if authoritarian governments fail to adapt. It could also lead to challenges in relations between the state, its citizens and expatriates, the report argues, as downtrodden foreigners may one day demand more rights.
The article pointed out that Gulf governments use petrodollars to pamper their citizens, from comfortable public sector jobs to water subsidies and bonuses for newlyweds, while encouraging foreigners to move to the Gulf to take jobs that citizens cannot or will not do. However, this social contract will eventually become obsolete, one reason being climate change. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, which together pump 14 million barrels of oil a day, know that demand for fossil fuels will ebb.
Therefore, these countries have 10 to 20 years to achieve economic transformation. The article suggests that some of the changes that are taking place are alarming. In Saudi Arabia, for example, women who were once prohibited from driving can now drive to work, and the percentage of Saudi women employed or looking for work has increased from 17 percent in 2017 to 37 percent today. Restaurants were once banned from playing music, but there is now talk of relaxing the ban.
However, this shift also comes with insecurities. Citizens in the Gulf have to compete for private sector jobs, while their governments are keen to attract more foreigners. In the UAE, where expats make up nearly 90 percent of a population of 10 million, the country hopes to attract another 3 million to 5 million. Gulf citizens need the tools to succeed in this new era, and education is a great place to start. Schoolchildren in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates lag far behind those in rich countries and have high dropout rates because students think they can count on government jobs.
The article also noted that greater social freedom has come with more political repression and centralization, especially in Saudi Arabia, under its de facto ruler, Muhammad bin Salman. Yet a taste of freedom in everyday life may also prompt people to seek more voice in politics. When economic change creates losers, the government will have to listen to complaints, because it will.
In conclusion, the Economist article shows that the ability of the Gulf states to adapt to a post-oil future and rework the social contract is not only critical to their People matter, and matter to the world Export cultural values ​​across the Muslim world. Expats, who make up a large portion of the Gulf population, may need to adapt to these changes and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that a more free and open society presents.
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