The recent data from YouGovs survey conducted between 8th and 15th April reveals an increasing number of people in the UAE and KSA are worried about the loss of job or salary due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The ratio of respondents who stated this has risen from 44% to 51% this week. Considerably, UAE residents are much more concerned about this consequence as compared to people in KSA (64% vs. 38%).

In both the countries, worries over job loss were seen more among expats than locals. In the UAE, Western (74%) and Asian expats (68%) seem to be more nervous about this condition as compared to the Emiratis (46%). Further, in KSA, expats are more anxious about losing their livelihoods than locals (56% vs. 30%).

For most of the listed areas, worries are more widespread among UAE residents as compared to KSA residents, specifically in matters associated to finance and economy. 56% UAE residents are nervous about the international economic effect of the pandemic, however, worries among KSA residents is lower- at 43%.

Additionally, UAE residents are also more likely than those in KSA to concern about other financial losses such as money put in investments, property, etc (48% vs 32%).

Even though half are concerning about jobs and the economy, the thing that presently concerns most people in the two countries is a cherished one getting sick due to the virus. The number of people saying this has increased from 56% to 60% this week. Those respondents who are married with children are the most worried about this outcome (63% saying this).

Considering the effect of the Coronavirus, more than half of UAE and KSA residents (54%) stated the pandemic will have a sustainable damaging effect on their respective countrys economies, up from 50% who stated this previous week. 38% on the other hand, consider the effect will be short-term. Even though there has been a rise in the number of people who foresee a lasting adverse effect on the economy in both the countries, UAE residents are more likely to expect this outcome as compared to KSA residents (59% vs 49%).

Hardly half the public in both the countries (49%) believe jobs and employment as well as their wages (46%) will suffer over a extended period of time.

On the other hand, residents are assuming a short-term negative effect on the price of essential items (45%). For household finances their opinion stands divided, with 42% stating the effect will be long term while 43% saying it will be short-lived.

The data indicates that people aged between 25-34 years remain being the most pessimistic about the likely consequences of the Coronavirus and for all areas tested they were more likely than their counterparts to say the pandemics damage will be sustainable.

Data collected online by YouGov Omnibus among 2001 respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia between 8th and 15th April 2020 using YouGovs panel of over 6 million people globally. Data is representative of the adult national population in each country.