Arab world should embrace national well-being surveys
During the 1930s and 1940s, the US was ravaged by cataclysmic economic and social upheavals due to the Second World War and the Great Depression. At the time, the government needed a set of reliable measurements that would serve as a scorecard for justifying important economic policies and expenditures aimed at reviving the economy. In 1934, Simon Kuznets, an economist working for the National Bureau of Economic Research, presented the concept of gross domestic product (GDP) to the US Congress as a way to navigate the near future. It was considered one of the most influential economic tools of the 20th century and earned him the 1971 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
The use of GDP was groundbreaking for governments, as it enabled them to measure economic output in a structured and transparent manner. Consequently, decision-makers pushed for public spending on policies that boosted economic performance, generated employment, and fostered international trade at a time of great instability. As a result, people were able to rebuild their lives, grow their families and secure necessities, such as food, housing, healthcare and education.
However, much debate has since centered on how GDP cannot capture what we essentially value as part of our human experience, such as our relationships, aspirations, dream jobs, health, and hedonic experiences. In recent years, many governments have imagined a more holistic notion of well-being, taking into consideration its most significant contributors and the positive impacts of investing in such policies. By measuring national well-being, policymakers can focus on what truly matters to people and justify public spending for relevant policies. Most importantly, granular data provides insights on such needs according to different districts, age groups and genders — allowing for a more tailored formulation of solutions. Cities also gain enhanced reputations for being happier places to work or live in, thereby attracting more global talent, tourism and investment.
In addition to the altruistic value of investing in well-being policies, a growing body of evidence highlights the connection between happier individuals and increased work productivity and economic contributions, better relationships, improved physical health, and more social cohesion. As such, well-being data has been critical in formulating policy decisions that tackle priority issues. Examples include promoting work-life balance policies, closing the education and skills gaps, addressing gender inequality in income levels or employment opportunities, ensuring people have access to affordable housing, and preserving local heritage.
Many countries, such as the UK, New Zealand and Bhutan, conduct regular national well-being surveys to aid them in creating happier societies and stronger economies. In the international domain, global well-being surveys are also prevalent, such as the Gallup World Poll, the European Social Survey, the Legatum Prosperity Index, and the OECD’s Better Life Index.
The OECD’s pivotal biennial publication “How’s Life?” is one of the most comprehensive international well-being surveys, charting life satisfaction levels for people living in 41 countries across a range of indicators. These include income and wealth, work and job quality, housing, health, knowledge and skills, environment quality, subjective well-being, safety, work-life balance, social connections, and civic engagement. In-depth country reports also provide guidance for policymakers on gaps and challenges, allowing them to design key interventions and track changes over time.
The UAE government last year became the first Arab country to conduct a national well-being survey. The National Survey for Happiness and Wellbeing captured data from more than 10,000 respondents. This information has allowed policymakers to dive deep into the needs of various social segments, according to different cities, age groups, genders, and employment status, thus paving the way for targeted interventions.
The survey consisted of 300 questions that were categorized under the headings “progressive nation,” “community cohesion,” and “subjective well-being.” Under the first of these, the set of indicators measured were economic progress, government services, housing and residential communities, environmental stability, and culture and the arts. The second looked into family, community, education and employment, giving, and digital well-being. Lastly, the indicators under the subjective well-being theme consisted of lifestyle, mental well-being, sentiments and self-actualization, and life skills.
Initial results revealed important areas that need to be improved, such as financial literacy, housing services, post-retirement life, healthy lifestyles, and mental well-being. As such, the government has been in discussions with relevant public agencies to brainstorm policy ideas, initiatives, legislation, and research aimed at improving well-being levels across the various indicators. Examples include incorporating positive education within school curricula, establishing town halls to connect residents with government officials, training chief happiness and well-being officers within government agencies, publishing detailed guidelines on promoting well-being in the workplace, and establishing the Emirates Center for Happiness Research, which is considered the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Governments have much to gain from conducting periodical national well-being surveys. By gaining a deeper understanding of their people’s needs across a multitude of important indicators, governments can design more effective policies and solutions that will undoubtedly have positive social and economic impacts.
Published in Arab News.
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