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REPORT: Islamic State recruits more educated than average – World Bank study finds

Nicole Hajal

Author: Nicole Hajal

Breaking Headlines

06-10-2016 | 01:06

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REPORT: Islamic State recruits more educated than average – World Bank study finds

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Recruits to Islamic militant groups are likely to be well educated and relatively wealthy, with those aspiring to be suicide bombers among the best off, a study conducted by the World Bank revealed.

Based on internal records from the Islamic State group leaked by a disaffected former member, the research reinforces the growing conclusion among experts that there is no obvious link between poverty or educational levels and radicalization.

The data includes basic information on 3,803 foreign recruits from all over the Islamic world and Europe who joined the organization between early 2013 and late 2014, when the flow of volunteers to the organization reached a peak. Those arriving in Isis-controlled territory were vetted and interviewed.

Data on country of residence, citizenship, marital status, skills, educational status, previous extremist experience and knowledge of Islamic law was recorded.

The World Bank study found that 69% of recruits reported at least a secondary level education while “15% left school before high school and less than 2% are illiterate”.

The educational level of recruits from North Africa or the Middle East was significantly greater than that of most of their compatriots, the researchers found.

To watch the full report, please click on the video above.

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