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. UAE respondents identified five most important factors that influence happiness: general safety and security (62%), employment opportunities (55%), clean environment (41%), leading a financially stable life (38%), and ability to maintain healthy personal relationships with family and friends (37%).
Happiness with Professional Life
Career choices can have a significant impact on professionals’ happiness and well-being. Over half the UAE respondents (56%) are most satisfied with the working hours. This is followed by the support received from colleagues (55%), freedom to take decisions at work (52%), and work-life balance (51%).
Other factors that contribute to respondents’ work satisfaction revolve around recognition, support from management, and stress.45% of respondents are satisfied with the recognition they receive at work;44% are satisfied with the support received from direct manager; and37% 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 the UAE are satisfied with their relationship with family and current physical health (83% and82% respectively). Other personal life elements that respondents are most satisfied with include mental well-being (74%), independence to take their own decisions (74%), and support received from family (71%).
Two-thirds of respondents 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. More than8 in10 (81%) respondents describe their general state of health as good or excellent.
Happiness with Country of Residence
UAE respondents are satisfied with many factors pertaining to their country of residence such as general safety and security (89% of respondents are satisfied), availability of utilities (e.g. drinking water, electricity, fuel, etc.) (86%), and availability of entertainment avenues (e.g. malls, parks, etc.) (86%).
Other factors include comfortable weather (84%), clean environment (e.g. air, water, streets, etc.) (83%), access to healthcare facilities (77%), and availability of public transport facilities (77%).
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.