Finance
Sharjah youth business intent hits 40% as entrepreneurial confidence climbs
A Sheraa and AUS study finds 40% of students in Sharjah plan to launch businesses within five years, exceeding global averages for entrepreneurial confidence.
A new study conducted by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) in collaboration with the American University of Sharjah reveals that 40% of students in the emirate intend to launch their own businesses within five years of graduation. The data, released on Wednesday, 12 August to coincide with International Youth Day, indicates a significant shift in career aspirations among UAE-based students toward self-employment and innovation. Rising Entrepreneurial Confidence The research found that 14% of surveyed students plan to start a business immediately upon finishing their degrees. Furthermore, students scored 71 out of 100 for entrepreneurial self-efficacy, a metric measuring the belief in one’s ability to successfully launch a venture. This score is 16 points higher than the global average, according to the report authored by Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa. The findings come as the UAE maintains its ranking as the world’s leading entrepreneurship ecosystem for the fifth consecutive year. The report suggests that the integration of incubation programmes, acceleration initiatives, and mentorship within universities is directly contributing to this competitive…