Economic crisis, joblessness cause for concern in new year – Rise in terrorism feared

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In the last Arab Times online poll of the year 2015, readers weighed in on continuing trends in the coming year. The majority of voters foresee deepening economic crisis and rising unemployment.

37 percent of respondents relayed their fears of an economic instability marked with rising unemployment. “We cannot predict the future accurately but looking at all the indicators — the collapse in oil prices, China’s slowdown, the crumbling Eurozone, the outlook for 2016 is grim”, a reader shared. “I think things are going to get difficult in Kuwait for many. I think the fall in oil prices will affect us more deeply next year. The government may have to reevaluate a lot of its current policies. It will have an adverse affect on the labour market and drive up our unemployment rates. I am not optimistic that 2016 will bring a financial boon for most of us”, a voter shared.

28 percent of respondents fear an increase in terror activities in the Middle East and around the world. “Unless we debunk the propaganda of extremist groups and prevent our youth from being radicalized, we have to be on alert for terror strikes”, a reader commented. “I think issues of terror and surveillance will continue to dominate discourse in the coming year. Alot of countries will try and exert greater control over cyberspace and encroach on individual privacy and liberties”, another voter shared.

19 percent of respondents did not expect any major changes in 2016 but 3 percent of voters were weary of earthquakes and floods, and 7 percent foresee unusual weather patterns. “There are reports that rate of global warming will accelerate fast in the coming years. 2015 broke global heat records with marked rise in heatwaves but 2016 will outdo it.”

“The world is experiencing tumultuous weather on account of El Nino coupled with climate change. I think we need to prepare for the worst in 2016”, voter shared. On the other hand, another respondent stated, “I think 2016 will be a year of great opportunity with the success of the COP21 United Nations climate talks. We are on course to a low carbon lifestyle and I believe that real change is possible.”

With more than a million migrants and refugees having crossed into Europe in 2015 via land and sea in 2015, 7 percent of the respondents felt that the refugee crisis would continue to worsen in the coming year. “With no end in sight for the conflict in Syria, the region will continue to drive migration in the next few years. The international community needs to prioritize resettlement plans for these migrants.”

By Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff

This news has been read 6277 times!