As we enter the New Year, happiness and wellbeing have come into focus in the Middle East and North Africa. A new survey by Bayt.com, the number one job site in the Middle East, and YouGov, a pioneer in online market research, titled the Bayt.com ‘Happiness in the Middle East’ survey, revealed that more than half (56%) of respondents in Kuwait are satisfied with their current standard of living, at least to some degree.
To determine levels of happiness in the Middle East, the survey addressed elements of respondents’ personal lives, their professional lives, their current country of residence, and other aspects of life relating to their health and wellbeing.
Respondents rated the top five most important factors that impact their general happiness levels in their country of residence. In Kuwait, general safety and security was stated by more than half of respondents (56%) as the most important factors. This was followed by leading a financially stable life (50%), employment opportunities (46%), ability to maintain healthy personal relationships (34%), and attitude and behavior of people in general (34%).
Happiness with Personal Life
According to the survey, personal life elements that respondents in Kuwait are most satisfied with include relationship with family (84% of respondents are satisfied), current physical health (79%), mental wellbeing (77%), independence to take one’s own decisions (69%), and support received from family (67%).
Health-related factors emerged in the survey as important contributors to Kuwait respondents’ happiness and wellbeing. Nearly three quarters (74%) of respondents describe their general state of health as good or excellent, and almost half (47%) are not currently suffering from any health issues.
Happiness with Professional Life
As for their professional lives, factors that respondents in Kuwait are most satisfied with include support from colleagues and coworkers (54% of respondents are satisfied), support from managers (49%), work-life balance (46%), working hours (45%), freedom to take decisions at work (42%), and recognition at work (39%).
Other factors that contribute to Kuwait respondents’ work satisfaction revolve around stress levels, and career advancement. More than four in ten (41%) respondents are satisfied with the amount of stress they face at work; and more than a third (32%) of respondents are satisfied with the availability of career advancement opportunities.
Happiness with Country of Residence
Across the MENA region, respondents are satisfied with many factors pertaining to their country of residence, including general safety and security (60%), ability to maintain healthy personal relationships (65%), availability of utilities (62%), comfortable weather (60%), and opportunities to socialize (49%).
Other factors considered by the survey relate to social wellbeing and access to healthcare and other lifestyle amenities. In Kuwait, respondents are generally satisfied with factors such as availability of utilities (84%), general safety and security (71%), availability of public transport facilities (59%), availability of entertainment avenues (59%), and access to healthcare facilities (57%).
Happiness and Stress
Stress is another element of happiness addressed by the Bayt.com survey. For respondents in Kuwait, factors that contribute the most to stress levels are the increase in the cost of living (69%), work related issues (57%), and inability to maintain a good work-life balance (41%). Nonetheless, nearly one quarter (23%) of Kuwait respondents have low stress levels.
“Happiness and wellbeing is prevalent across the Middle East and North Africa, and is most likely linked to many personal, professional, and social factors,” said Suhail Masri, Vice President of Employer Solutions at Bayt.com. “We, at the Middle East’s #1 Job Site, have always believed that improving happiness and wellbeing is a shared responsibility that we should live by as an organization. We have chosen to concentrate on the professional and career-related angle by persistently producing information and services that aim to address our region’s needs, especially when it comes to employment and job search. We will continue to monitor the region’s satisfaction levels and empower everyone with what they need as professionals and individuals.”
“Despite the various socio economic inconsistencies that the MENA region undergoes, it is positive to see that happiness in Egypt and across the general landscape is highly prevalent. Much of the satisfaction that is felt in the Middle East today is connected to many improvements relating to professional opportunities, standards of living, and overall development,” said Arleen Gonsalves, Assistant Research Manager at YouGov.
Data for the2016 Bayt.com ‘Happiness in the Middle East’ survey was collected online from6 December,2016 to22 December,2016. Results are based on a sample of3,747 respondents. Cities assessed include UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Syria.