Shifting Sands: The Gulf's Economic Transformation

This chapter explores the changing social contract within Gulf Cooperation Council nations, focusing on the move away from dependence on oil and migrant labor toward economic diversification. It highlights significant cultural and economic reforms in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, addressing the challenges of youth unemployment and rising living costs amid these transformations. The chapter emphasizes the potential political repercussions if governments fail to meet the evolving needs of their citizens in this rapidly changing landscape.