The rapid increase in the numbers of youth in the region, which is expected to fuel demand for toys and games, will be the focus of an upcoming event featuring children’s lifestyle products in Dubai.

Playworld Middle East will run from March 7 to 9 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

According to a recent survey the population of the region is set to increase by one-third to 53 million by 2020 - a 33 per cent expansion over 12 years. This population surge will see a rise in the number of young people as a percentage of the total population.

Recent research indicates that 26.14 per cent of the total GCC population will be under the age of 14 years by 2020. This renders the region to be amongst the youngest markets in the world - the percentage of youth in the EU (16 per cent) and the US (20 per cent) is comparatively much less and is expected to have decreased further by the year 2050.

“With this rapid surge in the youthful population in the region, the countries of the GCC form a key target market for manufacturers and suppliers of toys and games worldwide,” said Ahmed Pauwels, chief executive officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of Playworld Middle East.

“With high standards of living in this region, many are generally big spenders on toys, games and other lifestyle products. Playworld Middle East is a great platform for manufacturers and suppliers to gain access to this important market,” he added.

The UAE market is particularly exciting for toy manufacturers, retailers and suppliers as the average consumer spends approximately $30 per head more than their counterparts in the region, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service