As is the case in around of the world at present, Covid-19 response in most countries internationally has included restrictions on movement of people with calls to stay at home and practice social distancing. This has enlarged to full day or partial lockdowns in many of these countries and KSA and UAE are no different.

What will make difference this year is how residents in these countries experience Ramadan in 2020. Group gatherings like early morning sahour (pre-dawn meal) and iftars (post-sunset fast-breaking meals) as well as daily Taraweh (night prayers) are not possible this year due to the Covid-19 associated restrictions on movement.

With these restrictions in place, YouGovs recent survey looks in to how citizens in both KSA and UAE anticipate their experience of Ramadan 2020 to be different.

The survey unveils that 83% of residents of both countries expect to fast this Ramadan, with KSA residents almost unanimously (98%) showing that Covid-19 has not affected their intention to fast (in the UAE it was 68%). In KSA, the aim to fast is constant throughout all age groups whilst in the UAE, only 60% of 45+ aged people intend to fast vs 87% of 18-24 year olds.

Apart from intention to fast, behavior is also seeing some other changes. Charity work and donations typically see a hike during the Holy month as people replicate on how fortunate they are and think about those less fortunate and dispense of their Zakat (mandatory charitable contribution). This year 66% of UAE and KSA residents predict that they will be donating more to charity vs previous years.

There is also a prediction of increased time spent socializing online this Ramadan vs previous years with 69% anticipating to spend more time socializing online than last year. Weve seen Zoom birthday celebrations become common since Covid-19 hit the world and it seems residents of UAE and KSA might see Zoom iftar parties become a reality as 71% of residents expect a decrease in in-person family gatherings. The numbers are more pronounced in KSA vs the UAE.

Naturally being in lockdown also means that people are assumed to be watching more content both online and on TV, which includes Ramadan shows and series outfitted to entertain these captive audiences.

YouGov wishes everyone a peaceful, healthy and blessed Ramadan, and will continue to monitor consumer attitudes and habits through the month of Ramadan to identify any interesting trends or changes.

Data collected online by YouGov Omnibus among 2005 respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia between 15th and 22nd April 2020 using YouGovs panel of over 6 million people worldwide. Data is representative of the adult national population in each country.