Doha, Qatar – The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) revealed today the latest findings of the 2024-2025 Arab Opinion Index (AOI) at its headquarters in Doha. This year marks the ninth edition of the AOI, which remains the most extensive and comprehensive public opinion poll in the Arab region, covering political, economic, and social attitudes in 15 Arab countries.
Conducted between October 2024 and August 2025, the latest poll surveyed over 40,000 individuals. It also marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a poll has been conducted inside Syria, filling a crucial gap in reliable and nationally representative data.
Living Conditions
According to the findings, 57% of respondents believe their countries are moving in the right direction, while 37% feel they are heading in the wrong direction.
Economic struggles continue to persist in many parts of the region. The survey revealed that 41% of respondents reported their income only covers basic needs, and 28% stated that it does not cover their needs at all. As a result, a majority of households outside of the Gulf region rely on loans or aid.
Democracy and State Institutions
Support for a democratic system remains strong across the Arab region, with 68% of respondents expressing their approval. This trend has been consistent in all AOI polls since 2011.
The survey also showed varying levels of trust in state institutions. Legislative councils received the lowest percentage of trust (51%), while the military received the highest (82%).
Conflicts in the Arab Region
The poll also shed light on the dire humanitarian consequences of ongoing conflicts in the region.
In Gaza, more than 85% of respondents reported experiencing repeated displacement, hunger, and a lack of basic necessities such as drinking water, electricity, medical supplies, and internet access.
In Lebanon, 76% of respondents from areas targeted by Israel (southern Lebanon, southern suburbs of Beirut, etc.) stated that they were forced to flee during the conflict. Additionally, at least half of these respondents reported a lack of access to basic food supplies, and 41% expressed a lack of access to healthcare and medicine.
In Sudan, 47% of respondents reported being internally displaced since the outbreak of the conflict, either individually or with their families. More than half of the respondents reported a lack of access to electricity, food supplies, and necessary medications.
Syrian Public Opinion
The survey also gathered public opinion from Syria, where between 80% and 94% of respondents expressed feelings of hope, joy, happiness, and relief at the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. However, around 80% also expressed feelings of anxiety or uncertainty.
The top issues facing the country, according to Syrian respondents, are related to the economic situation, security, political stability, and national unity.
When asked about sectarian discourse, 41% of Syrians believed it to be the result of foreign interference. Additionally, 66% of respondents stated that they do not differentiate in their dealings with others, regardless of their sect or religion.
The 2024-2025 AOI also examined social media usage, digital trust, and exposure to misinformation, highlighting the increasing role of digital platforms in shaping public opinion in the Arab region.
The full report of the Arab Opinion Index is available on the ACRPS website and can be accessed here.
For media inquiries or to request an interview with the director of the Arab Opinion Index, please contact arab.index@dohainstitute.org.