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.
The 2020 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. MENA respondents identified five most important factors that influence happiness: employment opportunities (49%), leading a financially stable life (48%), general safety and security (48%), ability to maintain healthy personal relationships with family and friends (36%) and low cost of living (34%).
Happiness with Professional Life
Career choices can have a significant impact on professionals’ happiness and well-being. Over half the MENA respondents (55%) are most satisfied with the working hours. This is followed by the support received from colleagues (53%), 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. Half of respondents are satisfied with the recognition they receive at work; 45% are satisfied with the support received from direct manager; and 39% 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 across the region are satisfied with their mental well-being and their relationship with family (86% and 83% respectively). Other personal life elements that respondents are most satisfied with include current physical health (82%), independence to take their own decisions (78%), and freedom to socialize (73%).
Nearly 3 in 5 respondents are satisfied with their life in general. Only 29% 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 MENA 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
MENA respondents are satisfied with many factors pertaining to their country of residence such as ability to maintain healthy personal relationships (66% of respondents are satisfied), comfortable weather (63%), and availability of utilities (e.g. drinking water, electricity, fuel, etc.) (61%).
Other factors include general safety and security (59%), availability of entertainment avenues (e.g. malls, parks, etc.) (55%), opportunities to socialize (55%), access to educational institutions (51%), and clean environment (e.g. air, water, streets, etc.) (49%).
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 the 2020 Health and Well-being in the MENA survey was collected online from 2 to 11 November, 2020. Results are based on a sample of 1,895 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.
