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Among 156 countries worldwide, the UAE has taken to the 20th place in the World Happiness Report, one rank up from last year.
The country is also ranked as the happiest country in the Arab World for the fourth consecutive year in the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 2018 World Happiness Report, followed by Qatar 32, Saudi Arabia 33, Bahrain 43 and Kuwait 45.
Finland was named as the world's happiest country, rising from fifth place last year to oust Norway from the top spot while Britain was placed 19th in the report, which was released on Wednesday.
The annual Gallup World Poll, participated by 156 countries and had 1,000 samples, put Burundi at the bottom of
index and found Americans were getting less happy even as their country became richer.
Safety is what makes us happy, say residents
While countries across the Arab World are dealing with political conflicts, expats say they find safety in the UAE.
Egyptian Nourhan Maher who's been residing in UAE for the past 24 years said it is by far the "best country to live in."
"Everything is there for you with full convenience, accessibility and safety, what more could one ask for?"
Maher, who has been to many countries around the world, said UAE is a place where authorities make sure they implement law and justice regardless of race, religion or color and maintain discipline.
"Only in the UAE you can leave your bag temporarily in a coffee shop and come back to find it," she added.
Echoing similar thoughts was Indian Swati Sengupta who said UAE is a great place that grants equal opportunities especially for women.
"Coming from India, the level of security I enjoy here for both work and pleasure, in the day as well as at night, is incredible."
Palestinian-Canadian Mousa Nimer, UAE resident since 1996, said the remarkable code of ethics, discipline, tolerance, safety and cleanliness is what kept him in the country. He said leaders clearly listen to the needs of the population and provide opportunities' accordingly.
Dubai-resident for the last 26 years, Farah Nada, from Egypt, said two reasons lie behind her happiness in the country. "I always feel safe and because there is such diversity of experience. I hope these two factors never change."
International residents make up 87 per cent of UAE's population, according to the World Happiness Report.
UAE's ranking not surprising, but deserving
The fact that UAE achieved 20th rank out of 156 countries surveyed "isn't really strange, it's actually expected," said UAE national Abdullah Al Bastaki. The Dubai-based engineer said the ranking is thanks to the leaders' day and night plans to motivate and help build a caring and positive environment to induce happiness in the population, locals and expats.
"Not a lot of leaders can do that in such a short period of time of 45 years! It induces a sense of love and respect in the population, which brings about the feelings of commitment and happiness one feels towards the UAE."
Launching several initiatives across the country, the UAE has set a goal to be among the top five happiest countries in the world under its Vision 2021 objectives.
Reem Al Marzouqi, Abu Dhabi-based UAE inventor, said the country's guidance to Emiratis in applying for jobs, especially after the increased Emiratisation move, easy life and developed facilities are the main factors of people's happiness. Safety, she said, is an indispensable factor.
"People here feel very safe. If you are financially supported in a safe place with leadership that's very close to public then how will you not be happy?"
Emirati Ahmed bin Al Sheikh from Sharjah, said: "I love that we live with so many nationalities that the country embraces with full respect and no discrimination. Our leadership taught us so many lessons in respect, tolerance and ambition," said Al Sheikh.
The UAE has been known to be the first country in the world to appoint a happiness minister early 2016. The ministry led by Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi has been working to implement the happiness indexes across the country, and has launched several initiatives including the National Programme for Happiness and Positivity, happiness ambassadors, happiness counters in government entities and happiness indexes to facilitate and make people happy.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
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