DOHA: Qatar’s capital has been identified as the second lowest risky city for employers in the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena).
Doha jumped 11 places compared to last year’s Index to occupy 31st position among 138 cities, well ahead of Paris (36th), Manchester (37th) and Frankfurt (37th), according to the findings of ‘2013 People Risk Index, by Aon Hewitt, a global human resources business of US-based Aon plc.
The ‘People Risk Index’ measures the risks that organisations face with recruitment, employment and relocation in 138 cities worldwide by analysing factors as demographics, access to education, talent and development, employment practices and government regulations.
Doha ranks 31st among the 138 cities covered in the Index, rising 11 places compared to the 2012 People Risk Index, and is the second highest ranked city in the Middle East after Dubai (19th).
Significantly, the Index supports Doha’s growing reputation as a major business hub, with the Qatari capital ranking higher than many leading international business hubs such as Paris (36th), Manchester (37th) and Frankfurt (37th) — and alongside those cities such as Brussels, Denver and Sydney who ranked equally at 27th.
Among the major cities of the Middle East, Doha ranked well ahead of Muscat (50th), Riyadh (53rd) and Manama (57th) on the list, while Sana’a and Damascus were ranked the lowest of all cities involved in the survey.
“The Mena region provides plenty of opportunities for local and foreign companies, however, significant changes due to the Arab Awakening means employers are facing deeper challenges and need to adjust as the economic and business environment changes,” said Markus Wiesner, CEO of Aon Hewitt Middle East.
“The region’s employable population is expected to almost double by 2050, to reach 278 million from the current 145 million and with increasing amount of young people entering the work force and integration of women, this will have a significant impact on how employers obtain talent,” he said.
The Peninsula
