National Identity As A Strategic Asset For Trust, Resilience And Competitiveness

The World Governments Summit, working with Strategy& Middle East from the PwC network, has issued a report called ‘Being and Belonging: Sustaining National Identity in a Changing World’. It explains how national identity shapes social cohesion, economic outcomes, and a country’s international profile, and warns that globalisation, migration, and digital communities are reshaping how people see their countries.

The report states that national identity can support resilience and competitiveness when shaped intentionally, but may weaken stability if left to develop without direction. It notes that exposure to diverse cultures and online networks is growing, which can strain shared values, yet also gives governments a chance to renew how belonging and citizenship are expressed.

Recognising that national identity is often viewed as emotional or sensitive, the report breaks it into practical components that governments can study and influence. Its framework helps policymakers analyse what defines their societies, choose which elements to safeguard, and decide which parts can adjust to new circumstances over time.

The report proposes starting with a contextual diagnostic, because it argues there is no single model of national identity. Connections between citizens may grow from different drivers, such as civic values, shared history, religious narratives, cultural practices, or even national sports symbols. This assessment lets governments identify which markers matter most for cohesion and trust in their own settings.

To guide this diagnosis, the report groups identity markers into four broad categories. Demographic markers include ancestry, religion, and common heritage. Cultural markers cover language, traditions, symbols, and creative expression. Economic markers relate to access to opportunity and natural resources. Civic markers refer to rights, sovereignty, and how effectively governments perform their functions.

Officials are encouraged to map all possible markers, then prioritise those that genuinely define their country’s identity, rather than assuming equal weight across society. The framework also separates deep-rooted markers from their expression in daily life, such as participation levels, civic engagement, and trust in institutions, helping link national identity to observable social outcomes.

National identity in the Gulf region and global examples

Using this framework, the report reviews global experiences, with a strong focus on the Gulf region, where public policy has been used actively to shape shared identity. It notes that, worldwide, governments are integrating national narratives into education, culture, media, and economic planning, aiming to maintain cohesion while managing modernisation and demographic change.

In the United Arab Emirates, the report highlights policy measures that reinforce key cultural and civic markers within a highly globalised society. Examples include Arabic language preservation schemes, compulsory Arabic teaching in schools, rules promoting Emirati dialect in official media, and national celebrations and civic rituals that deepen people’s sense of belonging to the state.

Saudi Arabia is presented as another example where national identity is integrated across many sectors. Large cultural programmes and immersive historical initiatives, such as the Hijrah route project, are noted, alongside efforts to weave national narratives into tourism strategies, media content, and economic development plans, thereby linking identity with daily experiences and future aspirations.

Dima Sayess, Partner at Strategy& Middle East and leader of the Ideation Center, said: "When national identity weakens, trust and cohesion weaken with it. When strengthened deliberately, it can create a shared sense of purpose and a collective stake in a nation’s stability and prosperity. That foundation must be understood and adapted if institutions and reforms are to endure."

Melissa Rizk, Director, Actionable Foresight and Innovation at Strategy& Middle East, said: "In today’s digital, and highly connected world, identity is continuously formed and reshaped. This framework equips governments with a practical way to understand what truly defines their society, decide what must endure, and what should adapt to reflect their evolving context and ambitions."

The report stresses the importance of reflecting national identity across education systems, cultural policy, and media, supported by indicators that monitor changes over time. It is part of the World Governments Summit’s wider knowledge partnership programme, which brings together expertise to help governments manage shared policy issues and build societies that are resilient and prepared for future challenges.

With inputs from WAM