Breaking news

Investors Eye Middle East Amid Political Shift, But Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Uncertainty

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 10, 2025

A historic transformation is reshaping the Middle East, drawing international investors back into the region with hopes of stability and economic recovery. While a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and leadership changes in Syria and Lebanon signal potential progress, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza has introduced fresh concerns.

Renewed Investor Confidence

Egypt, a central player in recent peace talks and the region’s most populous nation, recently conducted its first dollar debt sale in four years—an impressive turnaround from its near-economic collapse. Israel and Lebanon have also seen a resurgence in investor interest, particularly in bonds, as the market bets on a long-term resolution to Lebanon’s financial and political turmoil.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Charlie Robertson, an emerging markets expert at FIM Partners, notes that recent geopolitical shifts have fundamentally altered the region’s dynamics, offering the possibility of sustained stability—so long as Trump’s Gaza proposal doesn’t reignite tensions.

Market Reactions To Trump’s Proposal

Trump’s call to “clean out” Gaza and turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East” has met with strong international backlash. In response, Egypt has scheduled an emergency Arab summit for February 27 to discuss the implications for Palestinians and regional stability.

Investors are closely watching how this unfolds. S&P Global has indicated it may lift Israel’s downgrade warning if the ceasefire holds, potentially paving the way for a significant Israeli debt sale. However, investors remain wary of political volatility.

Israel’s Economic Outlook

While bond investors are returning, Israel’s stock market has struggled since the ceasefire. The country had been one of the strongest performers globally after the October 2023 attacks but has since dipped, aligning with a broader U.S. tech selloff.

Sabina Levy, head of research at Leader Capital Markets, highlights that markets are more concerned with internal political conflicts than the war itself. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Nir Barkat is pushing for aggressive economic growth strategies.

Lebanon And Egypt: Uncertainty Amid Opportunity

Lebanon’s debt-laden economy is showing signs of life as its bonds have surged in value. The country’s new president, Joseph Aoun, is turning to Saudi Arabia for support, which could further distance Lebanon from Iranian influence. However, a $45 billion debt restructuring remains a significant hurdle.

Meanwhile, Egypt faces pressure from the U.S. as Trump’s plan envisions Cairo accepting two million Palestinian refugees. Analysts warn that Washington could leverage Egypt’s reliance on foreign aid to push its agenda, posing risks to the country’s financial stability.

The Path Ahead

As investors navigate the evolving landscape, key concerns include continued Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, Lebanon’s economic restructuring, and Israel’s political stability. While the region presents opportunities, the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s influence keeps markets on edge.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.