Bayt.com Career Aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa. December 2014

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1 Bayt.com Career Aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa December 2014

2 Section 1 PROJECT BACKGROUND

3 Objective To understand the challenges and aspirations of MENA professionals. The study covers aspects such as perceptions and attitudes towards current job, career aspirations, barriers to career growth, overall work environment and personal aspirations and concerns. This report can be benchmarked against the Career Aspirations report done in November 2013, to understand the changes in perception over the past year.

4 Key findings The two factors that are seen as most important for an ideal job are salary & benefits and opportunities for career growth. Slightly less than half of all respondents believe their current job is the perfect one for them. Most respondents believe they deserve to work in a higher level position, and half of them are willing to move to another department/area of expertise to further their careers. The majority of respondents have set professional goals for themselves, which include getting a higher salary, finding a new job and learning new skills. On a positive note, more than half of all respondents are satisfied with their professional growth over the past year. Three in five respondents report having a mentor or role model in their careers. While nearly three-fifths of respondents (58%) report being motivated at work, the top 3 factors to increase motivation further are higher salaries and perks, more opportunities for employees to showcase creativity/skills, and greater work-life balance.

5 Key findings The key barriers to professional growth are poor management within the organization and lack of growth opportunities. Interestingly, the main reason for seeking employment is to consistently learn and gain experience, followed by making money, being financially independent and contributing to society. One third of respondents report not being able to save any of their income over the past year, and one quarter report saving less than 10% of their annual income. Three-quarters of respondents would relocate to another country for employment purposes; the top destination choice is the UAE, followed by KSA and Qatar. Half of all respondents worry about financial issues in their day-to-day lives, and one third are uncertain about their career paths or worried about unemployment. 7 out of 10 respondents report saving more money as their personal goal for the upcoming year. Overall, respondents have a positive outlook on what 2015 will bring.

6 Section 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

7 Sample Definition Age and Gender: Adult males and females Aged 18 plus years Country of Residence GCC: UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Levant: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia Data Collection All data was collected online. Fieldwork was done between December 3 rd 10 th The total number of respondents achieved was 8,963.

8 Section 3 RESEARCH FINDINGS

Employment versus owning business Overall, respondents were almost evenly split between preferring to be an employee (42%) and owning one s business (39%).

Nearly half of all respondents in Levant (49%) preferred having their own business, versus more than a third (36%) of GCC residents and two-fifths (44%) of North

9 Employment versus owning business Overall, respondents were almost evenly split between preferring to be an employee (42%) and owning one s business (39%). Men were slightly more likely to favour having a business (40%) as compared to women (35%). Nearly half of all respondents in Levant (49%) preferred having their own business, versus more than a third (36%) of GCC residents and two-fifths (44%) of North African respondents. Interestingly, half of all UAE respondents preferred being an employee (49%), and only a third preferred having their own business (29%). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Would you rather be an employee or have your own business?

10 Employment versus owning business GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents I d rather be an employee I d rather have my own business Don t know/ Can t say Q. Would you rather be an employee or have your own business?

Current and preferred industries Overall about

respondents in the GCC region (18%) than those

working in the construction industry, while

petrochemicals as their preferred industry

More women chose education/academia as their

(4%). Base: Working respondents (6,800) Base:

11 Current and preferred industries Overall about 1 in 10 (13%) of working respondents currently work in the construction industry. Perhaps unsurprisingly, significantly more respondents in the GCC region (18%) than those in Levant (7%) and North Africa (8%) reported working in construction. More males (15%) than females (4%) reported working in the construction industry, while more females (13%) than males (3%) reported working in education. Men were more likely to choose oil, gas & petrochemicals as their preferred industry (14%) as compared to women (5%). More women chose education/academia as their preferred industry (13%) as compared to men (4%). Base: Working respondents (6,800) Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Which industry do you currently work in? Q. Given the choice, which ONE of the following industries would you want to work in?

12 Current and preferred industries GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Working respondents Q: Which industry do you currently work in? Construction Tourism/ Hospitality Advertising/ Marketing/ Public Relations Banking/ Finance Education/ Academia Industrial manufacturing IT Medical/ Health Services Oil, Gas & Petrochemicals Base: All respondents Q: Given the choice, which ONE of the following industries would you want to work in? Oil, Gas & Petrochemicals Construction Advertising/ Marketing/ Public Relations Banking/ Finance Education/ Academia IT Tourism/ Hospitality

Ideal job The two factors that were seen as

(81%), and opportunities for career growth (59%).

placed greater emphasis on work-life balance

opportunities for career growth (67%) in

Africa (48%). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q.

13 Ideal job The two factors that were seen as important in an ideal job were salary & benefits (81%), and opportunities for career growth (59%). Interestingly, respondents in North Africa placed greater emphasis on work-life balance (38%) versus those in the GCC (21%) and Levant (28%). GCC respondents placed more importance on opportunities for career growth (67%) in comparison to those in Levant (59%) and North Africa (48%). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. When selecting your IDEAL JOB, which three factors would be most important to you? (Select only THREE from those listed)

14 Ideal job GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents Salary and benefits Opportunities for career growth Job security Work-life balance Reputable organization Feeling of accomplishment Challenging work Fair evaluation Flexible work timings Set number of working hours Manageable workload Q. When selecting your IDEAL JOB, which three factors would be most important to you? (Select only THREE from those listed)

15 Current job satisfaction Overall, respondents had an average level of job satisfaction with the mean score across all categories being 3.2 out of a 5- point scale (1= Very poor, 5 = Excellent). Organizational reputation was ranked quite high, whereas opportunities for career growth and fair evaluation were the main pain points, with only one quarter of respondents satisfied in these areas. Top 2 boxes Base: Working respondents (6,800) Q. Thinking about your current job, how would you rate it on the following factors?

16 Current job/career situation Almost two thirds of respondents (64%) believed they deserve to work in a higher level position, and nearly half of all respondents (48%) were willing to move to another department/area of expertise to further their careers. Furthermore, twofifths (43%) of all respondents were willing to move to a different industry altogether. Almost one third of respondents (30%) believed they had achieved all they could in their current organization, and were looking for a change, and almost the same proportion saw their current job as a training ground for their next move. Results were similar across the GCC, Levant & North Africa regions. Base: Working respondents (6,800) Q. Thinking about your current job and career in general, which of the following applies to you? Select all that apply.

17 Current job/career situation GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Working respondents I feel that I deserve to work in a higher level position I am prepared to move to another area of expertise or department to further my career I am prepared to move to another industry to further my career I see my current job as a training ground for a career move to another organization I feel I have achieved all I wanted to achieve in this organization and need to move to another organization I see my current job as a training ground to progress to a career within the organization I feel I have achieved all I wanted to achieve in my career till now Q. Thinking about your current job and career in general, which of the following applies to you? Select all that apply.

18 Professional/career goals Over two thirds of respondents (68%) reported setting professional goals for themselves, which included getting a higher salary (54%), finding a new job (53%) and learning new skills (52%). A higher salary was more important to GCC respondents (59%) versus those in North Africa (49%). Nearly three-quarters of GCC respondents reported setting professional goals for themselves (72%), versus nearly two-thirds of those in Levant (64%) and North Africa (63%). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Have you set any professional goals for yourself? Q. What are your top career goals? Base: Those who have set professional goals (6,103)

19 Professional/career goals GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents Q: Have you set any professional goals for yourself? Yes, for the next 5 years Yes, for the next 2 years Yes, for the next year Yes, for the next 6 months No I have not Don t know/ Can t say Base: Those who have set professional goals Q: What are your top career goals? Get a higher salary Get a new job Learn new skills Be more productive in my work Get a promotion (in terms of title) Go for higher education Shift my career to another industry Get along better with colleagues Get along better with my boss Q. Have you set any professional goals for yourself? Q. What are your top career goals?

20 Current job versus perfect job Overall, more than two-fifths of all respondents (45%) agreed that their current job is the perfect job for them. Two-fifths of GCC respondents (44%) and North African respondents (45%) believed their current job is perfect for them, versus a third (33%) of Levant respondents. In terms of specific countries, half of all respondents in Oman (50%) agreed with this statement, versus around one quarter (26%) of respondents in Lebanon. Top 2 boxes Base: Working respondents (6,800) (KSA: 1,409) (UAE: 1,452) (Kuwait: 236) (Qatar:373) (Bahrain:106) (Oman:145) (Lebanon:178) (Syria:39) (Jordan:310) (Egypt: 1,290) (Morocco:160) (Algeria: 321) (Tunisia: 109) Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree that your current job is the perfect job for you?

21 Satisfaction with professional growth Overall, nearly 6 in 10 respondents (57%) were satisfied with their professional growth over the past year. Three-fifths of KSA respondents (59%) were satisfied with their professional growth, versus over two-fifths (44%) of respondents in Syria. Top 2 boxes Base: Working respondents (6,800) (KSA: 1,409) (UAE: 1,452) (Kuwait: 236) (Qatar:373) (Bahrain:106) (Oman:145) (Lebanon:178) (Syria:39) (Jordan:310) (Egypt: 1,290) (Morocco:160) (Algeria: 321) (Tunisia: 109) Q. How satisfied are you with your professional growth over the past year (2014)?

22 Mentor/role model in career Three-fifths of respondents (61%) reported having either a mentor or role model in their careers. Respondents in the GCC & North Africa were more likely to have a mentor or role model as compared to those in Levant (GCC: 62%, North Africa: 63%, Levant: 53%). Base: Working respondents (6,800) (KSA: 1,409) (UAE: 1,452) (Kuwait: 236) (Qatar:373) (Bahrain:106) (Oman:145) (Lebanon:178) (Syria:39) (Jordan:310) (Egypt: 1,290) (Morocco:160) (Algeria: 321) (Tunisia: 109) Q. Do you have a mentor or role model in your career?

23 Motivation at work Overall, nearly three-fifths of respondents (58%) reported feeling motivated at work. Three-quarters of respondents in Algeria (77%) and Tunisia (75%) reported feeling motivated at work, which was higher than other MENA countries. Top 2 boxes Base: Working respondents (6,800) (KSA: 1,409) (UAE: 1,452) (Kuwait: 236) (Qatar:373) (Bahrain:106) (Oman:145) (Lebanon:178) (Syria:39) (Jordan:310) (Egypt: 1,290) (Morocco:160) (Algeria: 321) (Tunisia: 109) Q. In general, how motivated do you feel at work?

24 Factors to increase motivation at work Three-fifths of respondents reported that higher salaries and perks/benefits would increase motivation at work. Interestingly, more respondents stated that opportunities to express creativity (47%), and work-life balance (45%) would increase motivation, as compared to being promoted to the next level (40%). Base: Working respondents (6,800) Q. Which of the following options would make you feel more motivated at work?

25 Factors to increase motivation at work GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Working respondents Higher salary and perks/ benefits Opportunity to express my creativity/ showcase my skills Better work-life balance Promotion to the next level More focus on training/learning new skills More challenging work Recognition of my work by peers and superiors More positive reinforcement from my supervisors Q. Which of the following options would make you feel more motivated at work?

Barriers to professional growth The top two barriers to professional growth were poor

Over one quarter of respondents (27%) also reported favoritism in the workplace as a

between educational qualification and current job (21%) as barriers to professional growth.

26 Barriers to professional growth The top two barriers to professional growth were poor management within the company (46%) and a lack of growth opportunities (45%). Over one quarter of respondents (27%) also reported favoritism in the workplace as a barrier, and one fifth reported a lack of training opportunities (21%), and a disconnect between educational qualification and current job (21%) as barriers to professional growth. Base: Working respondents (6,800) Q. What, if any, do you consider to be the main barriers to your professional growth?

27 Barriers to professional growth GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Working respondents Poor management within my current company Lack of growth opportunities Favoritism in the workplace Disconnect between my educational qualification and my current job Lack of training Lack of experience Poor labor laws Lack of funding Personal/ social obligations Gender stereotypes in the workplace Too much competition I do not face any barriers to my professional growth Q. What, if any, do you consider to be the main barriers to your professional growth?

Reasons for seeking employment Interestingly, nearly three-quarters of

experience, whereas making money was ranked second, with three-fifths

Over two-fifths of respondents reported financial independence (44%)

Three-fifths of men (62%) stated making money as a key reason versus

However, more women (57%) emphasized financial independence as

Men and women placed equal importance on learning/gaining experience

28 Reasons for seeking employment Interestingly, nearly three-quarters of all respondents (72%) reported seeking employment to learn and gain experience, whereas making money was ranked second, with three-fifths of respondents (58%) stating it as a key factor. Over two-fifths of respondents reported financial independence (44%) and feeling useful to society (44%) as reasons for seeking employment. Three-fifths of men (62%) stated making money as a key reason versus two-fifths (42%) of women. However, more women (57%) emphasized financial independence as compared to men (41%). Men and women placed equal importance on learning/gaining experience (71% for men versus 75% for women). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Listed here are reasons people have stated for seeking employment. Please select up to three reasons that best apply to you.

29 Reasons for seeking employment GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents To consistently learn and gain experience To make money/ be gainfully employed To be financially independent To feel useful to society To make use of my education To meet people To have a routine in life Q. Listed here are reasons people have stated for seeking employment. Please select up to three reasons that best apply to you.

Percentage of income saved Nearly one third of respondents (31%) reported not

of respondents (24%) reported saving less than 10% of their annual income, and

annual income, compared to one third of respondents in North Africa (33%) and

30 Percentage of income saved Nearly one third of respondents (31%) reported not being able to save any of their income over the past year, whereas one quarter of respondents (24%) reported saving less than 10% of their annual income, and nearly three in 10 respondents (28%) reported saving 11-30% of their annual income. In terms of region, 45% of Levant respondents reported not saving any of their annual income, compared to one third of respondents in North Africa (33%) and one quarter of GCC respondents (27%). Base: Working respondents (6,800) Q. Thinking about the past year, what percentage of your income were you able to save?

31 Percentage of income saved GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Working respondents None Less than 10% % % % % More than 50% Q. Thinking about the past year, what percentage of your income were you able to save?

32 Satisfaction with current work environment Nearly two-fifths of respondents (38%) reported being satisfied with their current work environment, one third (30%) were neutral, and another third (33%) were not satisfied. Across countries, respondents in Algeria and Tunisia reported higher levels of satisfaction. Within the GCC, respondents in the UAE & KSA reported similar levels of satisfaction, whereas respondents in Bahrain reported lower levels of satisfaction. Top 2 boxes Base: Working respondents (6,800) (KSA: 1,409) (UAE: 1,452) (Kuwait: 236) (Qatar:373) (Bahrain:106) (Oman:145) (Lebanon:178) (Syria:39) (Jordan:310) (Egypt: 1290) (Morocco:160) (Algeria: 321) (Tunisia: 109) Q. Overall how happy are you with the current work environment?

33 Relocating for employment purposes Three-quarters of all respondents (73%) would consider relocating to another country for employment purposes. Men were more likely than women to relocate for employment (77% of men versus 57% of women). Three in five UAE respondents (61%) would consider relocating, which is lower than the overall average. Base: All respondents (8,963) Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Would you consider relocating to another country for employment purposes?

34 Country chosen for relocation purposes The top 3 countries chosen for relocation purposes were UAE (28%), Qatar (13%) and KSA (13%). Base: Respondents willing to relocate (6,538) Q. Which ONE country are you most likely to choose if relocating?

35 Country chosen for relocation purposes GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: Respondents willing to relocate Relocate to UAE Relocate to KSA Relocate to Qatar Relocate to Canada Relocate to the USA Relocate to Kuwait Q. Which ONE country are you most likely to choose if relocating?

36 Ideal retirement age More than two-fifths of respondents (43%) preferred to retire after the age of 60. Respondents in North Africa were more likely to state this preference (51%) as compared to Levant (45%) and GCC respondents (36%). Interestingly, less than a fifth of respondents (16%) chose retirement before 50, indicating a desire to stay in the workforce for a shorter period. Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. At what age would you like to retire?

37 Ideal retirement age GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents Before 50 years old Between years old Between years old After 60 years old Q. At what age would you like to retire?

38 Issues worried about in daily life Half of all respondents (51%) worry about financial issues in their daily lives, and a third worry about career path uncertainty (33%) and unemployment/losing their job (31%). Interestingly, women worry about unemployment more than men do (37% versus 29% for men). Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. Which of the following issues, if any, do you worry about in your daily life?

39 Issues worried about in daily life GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents Financial issues Career path uncertainty Worry about unemployment/ loss of job Problems at work Work-life balance Familial obligations Family relationships and issues Health None of the above Q. Which of the following issues, if any, do you worry about in your daily life?

Top 3 personal goals for 2015 Overwhelmingly, the

more money, with nearly three-quarters of

Other goals included travel (37%), buying property

Perhaps unsurprisingly, buying property was a

versus Levant (24%) and North Africa (24%).

Levant (50%) stated travel as a personal goal,

40 Top 3 personal goals for 2015 Overwhelmingly, the top personal goal for 2015 was reported to be saving more money, with nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) reporting so. Other goals included travel (37%), buying property (33%) and spending time with family (30%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, buying property was a stronger preference among GCC respondents (39%) versus Levant (24%) and North Africa (24%). Half of all respondents in North Africa (49%) and Levant (50%) stated travel as a personal goal, compared to a quarter (27%) of GCC respondents. Base: All respondents (8,963) Q. What are your TOP THREE personal goals for 2015?

41 Top 3 personal goals for 2015 GCC Levant North Africa KSA UAE Kuwait Qatar Bahrain Oman Lebanon Syria Jordan Egypt Morocco Algeria Tunisia Base: All respondents Save more money Travel Buy property Spend more time with family Exercise more Meet new people Get married Eat healthier Find new hobbies Have children Spend more time doing my hobbies Other Q. What are your TOP THREE personal goals for 2015?

42 Overall sentiment about 2015 Respondents were very positive about what 2015 has to bring, with 4 in 5 respondents (82%) reporting a positive outlook towards the upcoming year. Slightly more respondents in the GCC (84%) were positive about 2015, compared to Levant (72%) & North Africa (77%). Top 2 boxes Base: All respondents (8,963) (KSA: 1,715) (UAE: 1,712) (Kuwait: 275) (Qatar:423) (Bahrain:127) (Oman:170) (Lebanon:234) (Syria: 59) (Jordan: 451) (Egypt: 1,765) (Morocco: 397) (Algeria: 557) (Tunisia: 187) Q. Overall, are you feeling positive or negative about what 2015 has to bring?

43 Section 4 DEMOGRAPHICS

44 Demographics A total sample of 8,963 respondents was achieved. Gender Male 80% Female 20% Age % % % % Marital Status Single 47% Married 51% Separated/ divorced 1% Region GCC 49% Levant 8% North Africa 32% Base: All respondents (8,963)

45 Demographics Three-quarters of respondents were working full or part-time. The largest working population was in the GCC, followed by Levant and North Africa. Male 78% Female 65% Working full or part time Base: 6,800 GCC 85% Levant 71% North Africa 65% % % % % Base: All respondents (8,963)

46 Demographics Length of employment with current company: Less than a year 18 1 to 3 years 35 4 to 6 years 19 7 to 10 years to 15 years 7 More than 15 years 8 Nearly three-quarters of respondents were employed in the private sector, and a fifth were in the public sector. Men and women were distributed fairly equally across sectors. 71% Employed in private sector 21% Employed in public sector 3% Self-employed/ Work in family business Base: Working respondents (6,800)

47 Thank You

The Bayt.com Status of Working Women in The Middle East Survey. November 2014

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