A new survey by Bayt.com, the Middle East's #1 job site, and market research agency YouGov, revealed a variety of insights about the happiness and well-being of professionals in the UAE and their levels of satisfaction with professional and personal lives.
According to the survey, the top five most important factors that impact general happiness are general safety and security (64%), employment opportunities (50%), clean environment (36%), access to healthcare facilities (33%), and leading a stable financial life (31%).
Ola Haddad, Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com said: “Our annual Health & Well-being survey aims to highlight key elements affecting professionals’ happiness that are important for any company striving to be successful in today's marketplace. In addition, we continue to note that factors related to securing a job and career growth are vital and directly impact overall happiness and the well-being of individuals.”
Happiness with Personal Life
According to the survey, the majority of respondents in the UAE are satisfied with their current physical health and relationship with their family (85% and84% respectively). Other personal life elements that respondents are most satisfied with include independence to take own decisions (76%) and mental well-being (75%).
Over3 in5 respondents (65%) are satisfied with their life in general. Only21% reported not being satisfied, while the remainder were neutral in response to this topic.
Health-related factors emerged in the survey as important contributors to UAE respondents’ happiness and well-being.8 in10 respondents (80%) describe their general state of health as good or excellent.
Happiness with Professional Life
Career choices can have a significant impact on professionals’ happiness and well-being. Over6 in10 of UAE respondents (63%) are most satisfied with the support they receive from colleagues. This is followed by freedom to take decisions at work (61%), working hours (56%), and work-life balance (54%).
Other factors that contribute to respondents’ work satisfaction revolve around recognition and support from management. Over half the respondents (52%) are satisfied with the recognition they receive at work and47% are satisfied with the support received from their direct manager.
Happiness with Country of Residence
According to the survey, UAE respondents are most satisfied with many factors pertaining to their country of residence, such as general safety and security (92%), availability of entertainment avenues (88%), and availability of utilities (88%).
Other factors include clean environment (88%), general infrastructure (86%), availability of public transport facilities (83%), and access to healthcare facilities (79%).
Zafar Shah, Research Director, Data Services at YouGov MENA said: “Our research demonstrates that job availability and career prosperity have the biggest impact on happiness and well-being. Correspondingly, the data is meant to help both professionals and companies create a supportive environment to boost happiness and give rise to important conversations in relation to well-being.”
Data for the2021 Health and Wellbeing in the MENA survey was collected online from20th October to15th November,2021. Results are based on a sample of2,768 respondents from countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Sudan among others.