A new survey by Bayt.com, the Middle East's #1 job site, and YouGov, global online market research company, revealed a variety of insights about happiness and well-being of professionals across the region and their levels of satisfaction with life in general.
The2020 Happiness and Well-being in the MENA survey aimed to gather opinions about the elements of respondents’ professional and personal lives and how it affected overall happiness. Jordan respondents identified five most important factors that influence happiness: employment opportunities (58%), leading a financially stable life (58%), general safety and security (53%), low cost of living (40%) and ability to maintain healthy personal relationships with family and friends (33%).
Happiness with Professional Life
Career choices can have a significant impact on professionals’ happiness and well-being. Almost half of Jordan respondents (47%) are most satisfied with the working hours. This is followed by work-life balance (44%), freedom to take decisions at work (43%), and the support received from colleagues (42%).
Other factors that contribute to respondents’ work satisfaction revolve around recognition, support from management, and stress.36% are satisfied with the support received from direct manager;34% are satisfied with the recognition they receive at work; and31% are satisfied with the amount of pressure or stress faced at work.
Ola Haddad, Director of Human Resources at Bayt.com said: “The Happiness and Well-being in the MENA survey provides a snapshot of key factors that influence employee well-being as well as satisfaction levels within the region. Our main aim is to provide insights that help both professionals and companies create a conducive environment that boosts happiness and well-being.”
Happiness with Personal Life
According to the survey, majority of respondents from Jordan are satisfied with their mental well-being and their relationship with family (93% and81% respectively). Other personal life elements that respondents are most satisfied with include current physical health (81%), independence to take their own decisions (77%), and freedom to socialize (76%).
Health-related factors emerged in the survey as important contributors to Jordan respondents’ happiness and well-being. Nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents describe their general state of health as good or excellent.
Happiness with Country of Residence
Jordan respondents are satisfied with many factors pertaining to their country of residence such as general safety and security (70% of respondents are satisfied), comfortable weather (69%), and ability to maintain healthy personal relationship with family and friends (62%).
Other factors include availability of utilities (e.g. drinking water, electricity, fuel etc.) (59%), access to educational institutions (55%), opportunities to socialize (53%), and availability of entertainment avenues (malls, parks etc.) (46%).
Zafar Shah, Research Director, Data Services at YouGov MENA said: “The Happiness and Well-being in the MENA survey aims to provide an authentic overview of trends shaping the MENA job market and offer insights necessary to thrive in today’s ever-evolving employment sector. It recognizes the beneficial impact that work has on an individual’s state of physical and mental health.”
Data for the2020 Health and Well-being in the MENA survey was collected online from2 to11 November,2020. Results are based on a sample of1,895 respondents from the following countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, and others.