The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies is set to release the findings of its ninth Arab Opinion Index (AOI) on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. This comprehensive study provides a detailed snapshot of public sentiment across the Arab world, covering a wide range of political, economic, and social issues. The release of this data marks over fourteen years of consistent tracking of Arab public opinion, offering invaluable insights for researchers, policymakers, and journalists alike.
The data, collected through face-to-face interviews with over 40,000 participants, represents a significant undertaking in understanding the evolving viewpoints of citizens in 15 Arab nations: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and Syria. The press conference will detail key trends and analysis derived from this extensive survey.
Unprecedented Scope of Arab Public Opinion Research
The 2025 AOI is notable for its scale and breadth. According to the Arab Center, over 413,000 hours were dedicated to the survey implementation, involving a team of 1,000 researchers, half of whom were women. Field researchers traveled more than 900,000 kilometers to ensure representative sampling across diverse populations.
This represents the largest survey of its kind ever conducted in the region, surpassing previous efforts in sample size, number of participating countries, and the number of variables examined — exceeding 540. The inclusion of Syria in this year’s survey is particularly significant, marking the first time political, economic, and social topics have been comprehensively assessed within the country in recent years.
Key Areas of Inquiry
The survey encompasses a wide range of topics crucial to understanding contemporary Arab societies. These include citizens’ evaluations of their national conditions, trust in government institutions, and perspectives on democracy and civic participation. The Arab Opinion Index also delves into social issues such as equality and citizenship values.
Additionally, the 2025 AOI includes a detailed examination of media consumption, focusing specifically on the use of social media and the internet. A key component of this exploration is evaluating levels of trust in these digital platforms, an increasingly relevant factor in shaping political discourse.
The impact of recent global events is also prominently featured. Researchers gathered public attitudes towards the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the role of international actors in regional dynamics. The survey also provides a detailed gauge of public sentiment regarding perceived threats to Arab national security.
US Foreign Policy and Regional Perceptions
In a continuation of a long-standing tradition, the AOI dedicated a substantial portion of its questioning to understanding Arab perspectives on the United States, its society, and its foreign policy. This aspect of the survey has not been comprehensively explored since 2014, making the updated data particularly valuable.
The evolving relationship between Arab nations and the U.S. has been a subject of ongoing assessment and debate, particularly given shifting geopolitical alignments. Gathering contemporary public sentiment analysis on this topic will likely offer critical insights for policymakers.
According to researchers, the survey seeks to uncover not only opinions on the U.S. government’s actions but also perceptions of American culture and values. This nuanced approach aims to provide a more holistic understanding of the complex relationship.
The detailed results of the 2025 Arab Opinion Index are expected to be available to the public following the press conference. The Arab Center anticipates the data will contribute to informed discussions and evidence-based policy decisions. Future studies will likely build upon these findings, continuing the long-term project of monitoring and analyzing evolving perspectives within the Arab world. The ongoing situation in Sudan, and the potential for further escalation in Gaza, will undoubtedly be key areas to watch in subsequent indices.
The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies is a leading independent research organization in the Arab region.
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