UAE tops Arab World `satisfaction`: poll

Residents in UAE are the most satisfied with their lives in the Arab world, a global survey has revealed.

Dubai: Residents in UAE are the most satisfied with their lives in the Arab world, even more than those residing in Britain, France, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and Italy, a global survey has revealed.

Around 55 per cent of the UAE residents believe they are `thriving` compared to 54 per cent in the UK, 44 per cent in Germany, 42 per cent in France and 37 per cent in Italy and Singapore, Gallup`s recently-released global survey data showed. The UAE was ranked 16th worldwide in terms of resident satisfaction. In the Arab region, Qatar was ranked second with 53 per cent of residents thriving followed by Kuwait at 46 per cent, Saudi Arabia at 43 per cent and Bahrain at 27 per cent. Gallup classifies respondents` wellbeing as `thriving`, `struggling` and `suffering` depending on how they rate their current and future lives on a ladder scale with steps numbered from 0 to 10. People are considered thriving if they rate their current lives a 7 or higher and their lives in five years an 8 or higher. In the unrest hit countries of Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt and Morocco, small minorities, one in seven or fewer, are thriving. Denmark topped the survey with 72 per cent of residents expressing satisfaction; Sweden and Canada came in second with 69 per cent followed by Australia with 65 per cent. In the second category, 44 per cent of UAE residents are struggling compared to 46 per cent in Qatar, 52 per cent in Kuwait, 53 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 64 per cent in Bahrain. Just one percent believe that they are suffering. Among developed countries, Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and Japan all have more struggling residents than the UAE`s 44 per cent. PTI