With the beginning of the New Year, happiness and wellbeing in the Middle East and North Africa have come into focus. 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 two thirds (61%) of respondents in Qatar 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 Qatar, employment opportunities was stated by54% of respondents as the most important factor. This was followed by general safety and security (51%), leading a stable financial life (46%), attitude and behavior of people in general (38%), and access to healthcare facilities (35%).
Happiness with Personal Life
According to the survey, personal life elements that respondents in Qatar are most satisfied with include relationship with family (86% of respondents are satisfied), current physical health (79%), support received from family (78%), mental wellbeing (78%), and independence to take one’s own decisions (73%).
Health-related factors emerged in the survey as important contributors to Qatar respondents’ happiness and wellbeing. Eight in ten (80%) respondents describe their general state of health as good or excellent, and seven in ten (70%) are not currently suffering from any health issues.
Happiness with Professional Life
As for their professional lives, factors that respondents in Qatar are most satisfied with include support from colleagues and coworkers (59% of respondents are satisfied), work-life balance (55%), working hours (53%), support from managers (51%), and freedom to take decisions at work (49%).
Other factors that contribute to Egypt respondents’ work satisfaction revolve around stress levels, recognition, and career advancement. Nearly half (51%) of respondents are satisfied with the recognition they receive at work; almost as many (47%) are satisfied with the amount of stress they face at work; and another four in ten (43%) 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 ability to maintain healthy personal relationships (65% of respondents are satisfied), availability of utilities (62%), general safety and security (60%), 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 Qatar, respondents are highly satisfied with factors such as general safety and security (92% of respondents are satisfied), availability of utilities (87%), clean environment (79%), access to healthcare facilities (73%), and stability of political environment in Qatar (73%).
Happiness and Stress
Stress is another element of happiness addressed by the Bayt.com survey. For respondents in Qatar, factors that contribute the most to stress levels are the increase in the cost of living (61%), work related issues (49%), and inability to maintain a good work-life balance (36%). Nonetheless, nearly one third (29%) of respondents in Qatar 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.