The Essay
Harnessing the MENA Youth Dividend
How universities can transform challenges into opportunities for growth by fostering talent and addressing brain drain in the Middle East and North Africa.
By AbdelNasser Gaafar, Strategic Insights Unit Head, Strategy Office, Gulf University for Science & Technology
With around half its population under thirty, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) stands at a demographic crossroads. This unprecedented demographic presents both a formidable challenge and a historic opportunity for the region’s future. As an education strategist working in the Gulf, I have witnessed firsthand the aspirations and frustrations of a generation eager to contribute, yet too often constrained by limited opportunities and persistent structural barriers.
My own journey, leaving my home country in search of better prospects, mirrors the experience of countless young professionals across the region, whose dreams are shaped by the realities of competition, resource scarcity, and the search for meaningful work. The story of MENA youth is not solely one of struggle. It is also a story of resilience, innovation, and untapped potential.
The region’s universities can transform this demographic wave into a powerful engine for economic growth and social progress. By reimagining education, fostering public-private partnerships, and aligning with ambitious national visions, our institutions can help turn the tide from brain drain to brain gain, ensuring that the promise of our youth is realised at home, not just abroad.
Despite our youth’s potential for a demographic dividend and windfall effect on MENA economies, they face record rates of youth unemployment, and university graduates are unable to find work that matches their skills or aspirations. The situation is further complicated by a persistent mismatch between the outputs of education systems and the demands of rapidly evolving labour markets. As a result, a considerable proportion of young people are classified as NEET, not in education, employment, or training. Increasing numbers seek employment abroad, precipitating an outflow of talent and valuable human capital. This phenomenon is widely known as brain drain and is depriving countries with less robust economies of the essential drivers of growth and innovation. These factors underscore the urgency of rethinking how universities and policymakers approach youth development. The stakes are high: without bold, coordinated action, the region risks squandering its most valuable asset.
While the challenges are significant, the region’s story is one of resilience, steadfastness, and adaptability. Young people across MENA countries are displaying remarkable ingenuity, launching startups, social innovation projects, and riding the wave of digital transformation. Many pursue online postgraduate studies with major universities.
I am currently studying a data science degree to build my competencies and skills and progress in my own career path. I am but one of many striving to improve our region and contribute, and this ambition is shared by governments. Countries are developing and implementing strategies to engage youth in the economy, society, and public life, spearheaded by constructive dialogue between higher education institutions and their partners. These strategies support sustainable employability solutions, job creation and impactful policies.
Universities are at the heart of this transformation. By reimagining curricula, fostering research, and building bridges with industry, higher education institutions are equipping graduates with the skills needed for the future. Initiatives such as entrepreneurship centres, innovation hubs, and work-integrated learning programs are helping to close the gap between education and employment. These initiatives can translate demographic potential into real economic and social gains. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, GCC universities are not only addressing immediate employment challenges but also laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth through ecosystems for knowledge creation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology transfer.
Building on the momentum of innovative university-led programmes in the GCC, the next challenge would be to scale this approach and successes across the region. This requires a coordinated approach to create an enabling environment for youth growth and empowerment. A critical first step is to strengthen the alignment between higher education and the labour market needs. This entails identifying the most impactful skills, updating curricula in consultation with industry and other partners, and investing in lifelong learning. This ensures that graduates possess the necessary competencies and reduces skills mismatches, improving employment outcomes.
Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation is also crucial. Policymakers can streamline regulations for startups, provide seed funding and acceleration, and create innovation platforms that connect students, researchers, and industry. Public-private partnerships are especially powerful in this context, as they leverage the strengths of both sectors to drive job creation and economic diversification. International collaboration also plays a vital role. Universities can enhance research capacity, facilitate student and faculty exchanges by partnering with leading global institutions. This raises their international profile, further boosting their position in global rankings and attracting top talent. There are currently four universities in the top 200 global QS rankings, and there is potential to grow that number in the next decade.
As more youth are poised to enter the job market, the choices made in the coming decade will determine whether they experience prosperity or uncertainty. MENA youth are capable of reshaping entire economies when equipped with the right skills, opportunities, and support systems. As my own journey from aspiring professional to education strategist has taught me, individual dreams and regional development are inextricably linked. Investing in one young person's potential is an investment in the future of the entire region.
When we create pathways for innovation and entrepreneurship, we build bridges between local talent and global opportunities. Our young people are not just a statistic, but a call to action and vision for every leader in education, government, and industry. Unlocking the demographic dividend necessitates immediate action to collectively align curricula, invest in entrepreneurship, expand regional and international partnerships, and enable lifelong learning.
Our region has the potential to be a global powerhouse, moving beyond individual success stories to systemic and sustainable impact. Bold leadership would catalyse growth, one where the brightest minds choose to build their futures at home rather than abroad. We have the opportunity to turn this demographic challenge into a driving force for growth, innovation, and leadership. The future depends on it.