Dubai: Sun all year round, no taxes and great brunches are these perks that make the UAE a happy place to live in?
According to this year’s UN-sponsored World Happiness Report, the UAE is the happiest Arab country. And the report says the nation is ranked 14 globally. Around the world, the top five happiest countries are Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands and Sweden. The survey ranked 156 nations overall. Togo came in last, ranked 156.
So what makes these countries happier than the UAE?
The researchers rated six areas to calculate overall happiness: GDP per capita; social support; healthy life expectancy at birth; freedom to make life choices; generosity; and perceptions of corruption.
Across the board, the UAE fared better than its neighbours in the Gulf region and across the Middle East and North Africa.
Gulf News spoke to expats living in the UAE to find out what makes it such a happy place — and what it lacks.
Kholoud Ali Abbas, a 27-year-old chef from Sweden, has been living in Dubai for the past five years.
“The UAE lacks in nature and heritage,” Abbas said. “There is little historical and natural elements because everything is getting torn down due to construction. However, what the UAE does have is security. Also, there is a sense of equality here between classes; everybody is allowed to do the same social activities without racial restrictions.”
According to the report that is released annually — the first one came out in 2012 — mental health is the single most important factor when it comes to individual happiness. There are 404 million cases of depression globally and it’s estimated that slightly more than 4 per cent of the UAE’s population are depressed.
But happiness isn’t all about money. For the past five years, there has been a global financial crisis, jobs have dried up and debt levels have increased. But surprisingly, according to the authors of the report, we’re happier than ever — and more generous than before.
Myriam Fakhreddine, 49, from Switzerland, was utterly shocked knowing that Switzerland ranked third happiest worldwide. She has been living in Dubai for two years and cannot imagine life elsewhere — especially not back home in Geneva.
“The UAE is simply heaven,” the mother of one said. “You can walk in the street at 3am any time and you will be safe. Back home in Geneva there are a lot of crimes, you can’t leave your bag unattended and expect to find it when you return. In the UAE there is no stress and no taxes – you can save your money here and enjoy a quality life. In Europe you live to work, here in the UAE you work to live.”
According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, the emirate’s population mushroomed 5 per cent last year to 2.1 million — a growth that’s fuelled in part by the UAE overall being a good place to live.
But according to Australian Breff Gorman, 39, who works in real estate, there is always room for improvement.
He has been living in Dubai for nine years and enjoys the luxurious lifestyle — but luxury does not always equal happiness. “The tax-free environment is definitely a highlight here in the UAE,” Gorman told Gulf News. “The expat lifestyle with maids, drivers and guys that wash your car is another benefit that I don’t get back home. However, the UAE is lacking in governmental procedures, they are complicated and inconsistent in requirements because the laws and regulations are frequently changing for expats.”
Gorman’s native Australia came in at No 10 on the happiness list.
Melissa Paquette, 25, from Canada, works in event management and has lived in Dubai for eight years.
“The UAE is lacking in outdoor activities and natural scenery therefore it is difficult for athletes to stay active outdoors, especially in the summer heat,” the Vancouverite said. “Even though the UAE is tax-free, you still end up spending the same amount of money in other ways in terms of high rent and the expensive nightlife.”
The authors of the report also say that social, psychological and ethical factors are crucial in rating happiness.
While the UAE may seem like the ideal permanent holiday home for expats worldwide — there is one golden rule: home is where the heart is. Unless you’re from Togo!
Elisar Sasso is an intern at Gulf News
