Youth in Saudi Arabia

The government enforces a strict form of Islam called Wahhabism as the national religion that affects the areas of family formation, education and political activism.

[3] Saudi youth have difficulties being active participants in politics because of the strict Wahhabi religious doctrine and possible punishments.

[7] The General Presidency for Youth Welfare promotes multiple cultural activities, including arts and crafts and drama and folklore clubs.

[13] In 2014, a survey conducted for the Boston Consultancy Group report on Saudi youth found that 97% of them considered Islam "as the main influence that shapes their identity.

"[14] The Tenth Development Plan (2015-2019) had as one of its objectives to maintain Islamic teachings and values in the lives of its citizens, including youth.

Due to increased media participation and education, young Saudis are forming their own ideas and views about what is religiously acceptable.

[13] The teachings of Islam say that the family is central in a person's life and that youth should always show respect towards parents.

[15] Women were seen as crucial to maintaining the structure of the family by assuming the tasks of managing the house and taking care of the children.

[16] Young people are also delaying the age at which they get married, according to Saudi Arabia's Ninth Development Plan.

[5] The adjusted net enrollment rate for primary school age children was 97% in 2014, according to the World Bank Group.

Curriculum that is being taught to students in Saudi Arabia has a religious base, specifically Islamic teachings.

This is in order to achieve a higher level of efficiency in acquiring information and training, as well as strengthening personal and creative capabilities, developing skills and hobbies, satisfying psychological needs of students, and strengthening ideas as well as national and social relations through extra-curricular activities of various kinds".

[12] Upgrading the academic curriculum so that it is "in line with contemporary knowledge", "developing the curriculum of science, mathematics, engineering and technology" and making sure that Saudi university and scholarship graduates end up in the labor market are three educational objectives of the Tenth Development Plan.

[3] Saudi youth believed that they were receiving a good education in terms of Islamic teachings and basic academic subjects; however, they did not feel that they were being adequately prepared to do well in the workforce.

These feelings emanated from not being taught soft skills, such as problem solving, teamwork and collaboration, effective communication and critical thinking, that are valued by private-sector employers.

[3] 23% of youth respondents from the center part of the country, which includes the capital Riyadh, cited career opportunities as a concern.

[5] Requiring employers to meet quotas of Saudi workers is one way that Saudization will be achieved and affects youth because they are or will be entering the labor force.

[22] "Arbitrary arrest and long-term detention" for anyone that speaks out against government policies are two reasons that youth are deterred from being politically active.

[13] Saudi youth want a say in governmental policies and procedures because of their increased exposure to the world through social media and the difficulties they are facing (unemployment, living costs and education).

Smoking prevalence among sixteen- to eighteen-year-old students in secondary schools located in Riyadh was "high and alarming", according to a 2011 study published in the Annals of Thoracic Medicine.