MENA’s POP CULTURE TAKES CENTER STAGE IN YOUTUBE END OF YEAR LISTS

YouTube released its annual lists ranking the top moments, creators, and music on the platform across the Middle East & North Africa. For the first time, YouTube also unveiled the Top Topics in MENA, which highlight the top moments in news, trends, pop-culture, and more that resonated across the platform.

News & Sports:

The impact of war in the region was reflected in YouTube’s Top Trending lists. Three of YouTube’s Trending Topics in MENA, were related to the war - with searches for Rafah, Houthi movement and Southern Lebanon all trending through the year. Likewise, regional representation in the Olympics was also centre stage with Algerian Boxer Imane Khlief appearing in the Trending Topics. According to YouTube’s Culture & Trends team, in MENA, there have been over 950M views on videos related to EA FC 24 in 2024

Gaming:

The top trending topics on YouTube in 2024 including games like EA Sports FC 24, Free Fire MAX and Poppy Playtime.

Pop Culture, Entertainment & Trends:

YouTube native dating reality show “Qesma w Naseeb” was also among the Trending Topics in MENA. YouTube data indicates that there were over 1 billion views of videos on Qesma w Naseeb’s official channel this year alone. The Asoka makeup trend also made waves in the trending topics with people styling with traditional Indian bridal hair, makeup, and outfits.

YouTube 2024 End of Year Lists:

Trending Topics (not ranked): EA Sports FC 24, Free Fire MAX, Al Shami, Rafah, Houthi movement, Southern Lebanon, Asoka (makeup trend), Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3, Imane Khelif, Qesma w Naseeb
Top Creators:

Top Songs:

Tamer Ashor - Haygyly Mawgoo3 (Egypt)
Mohamed Lazaar (Lazaro) - Mahboul Ana (Morocco)
Mahmoud El Leithy - Am Elmagaal (Egypt)
Assala & Ahmed Saad - Sabab Farhity (Syria & Egypt)
Assala - Fouq (Syria)
Cheb Hichem Tgv - Fatou Liyam (Algeria)
Lbenj - Hawasy (Morocco)
Wael Jassar - Koul Waad (Lebanon)
Cheb Hamidou - 3achkek idman (Algeria)
AL SHAMI - Sabran (Syria)