As the UAE and KSA governments ease lockdown restrictions in many cities, the latest data from YouGov’s ongoing global COVID monitor show more than half of UAE and KSA residents (54% and 58%, respectively) think the current COVID-19 situation in their respective countries is getting better. On the other hand, 34% in the UAE and 29% in KSA think the situation is getting worse.
In the recent past, some of the worst hit western countries such as the US, Italy and Spain have partially re-opened their economies and resumed public life to some extent. When it comes to the international Covid situation, residents in the UAE and KSA appear less optimistic about recovery. Although KSA residents show similar levels of optimism for both local and global progress made in this matter, UAE residents are less hopeful about the situation improving globally than locally (54% locally vs 47% globally).
Despite most residents believing they are on a road to recovery, the public in both the countries have some concerns regarding lingering implications of COVID-19.
Among UAE residents, the vast majority (81%) are very or fairly worried about the pandemic’s long-lasting negative impact on the society and its severe impact of their finances (79%). Many are anxious about their friends or family becoming seriously unwell or dying due to Coronavirus (with 74% saying they are very or fairly worried), and about losing their jobs (69%). Concern about their children’s education and their own health deteriorating is comparatively lower- at 57% and 55%, respectively.
Saudi residents have similar worries, with a long-lasting negative impact on the society (66%), adverse effect on their finances (62%) and the health of their loved ones being affected due to the pandemic (60%) being some of the top fears. However, for all the listed concerns, worry among Saudi residents for each is lower than UAE residents.
