Omanis and Saudis happiest in Gulf

Oman and Saudi Arabia are the happiest nations in the GCC, according to research published on Monday.

According to a survey by Maktoob Research, 61% of Omanis say they are happy, with Saudi scoring 57%, Qatar 56%, Bahrain 54%, Kuwait 53% and the UAE 52%, reported UAE daily Gulf News.

The survey, conducted in March, questioned more than 7,000 residents in 11 countries across the GCC, the Levant and North Africa.

It found people aged 46 and over were happiest, with less than half of respondents aged 18-35 classing themselves as happy.

Factors contributing to people’s happiness varied according to each country, Maktoob said, although major reasons broadly included ‘having an optimistic nature’, close family ties, strong religious faith, job satisfaction and good health.

Factors contributing to unhappiness included lack of income, uncertainty regarding the future, and ‘dissatisfaction with personal appearance’, Gulf News quoted.

Happiest of Gulf cities included Buraimi in Oman at 88%, Medina in Saudi Arabia at 83% and Manama at 67%. Al Ain, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE all scored 56%.

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