DUBAI // The hit pop song Happy could well have been written for Dubai residents after an in-depth government survey showed the emirate’s happiness and safety quotient has risen over the past three years.
The Community Development Authority (CDA) released its social survey 2013-2014 yesterday. It covered 15,077 people, of whom 7,960 were Emiratis. It also indicated a high percentage of borrowing among young nationals, particularly in the form of car loans. CDA officials said this highlighted the need to teach young people fiscal prudence.
Conducted between October 5 and December 19 last year with the Dubai Statistics Centre, the survey’s results showed happiness levels reached 8.08 from 7.9 in 2011 on a scale of 10, with 10 being “extremely happy”.
The highest happiness level was recorded for western expatriates at 8.5, followed by Emiratis at 8.4. The number of residents who said they felt safe and protected increased to 96 per cent, up from 92.8 in 2011.
“For us this is the gauge we need to look at and we develop services based on these statistics,” said Khaled Al Kamda, the director general of the CDA. “This is not a one-time thing, it’s not a race, there is no finish line. We want to see if the country is a good host for everyone, that is an indicator of happiness. We need to see if people feel welcome, that is our job as Emiratis.”
The highest percentage of borrowers, at 35.2 per cent, were Emiratis over 18, with 20.9 per cent not paying one or more instalment on loans a year before the survey was conducted.
Europeans, North Americans, Japanese, Australians and New Zealanders took second spot at 19.4 per cent, with 4.5 per cent stuck with bad loans. They were followed at 18.3 per cent by the Arab community, with loans and insolvency at 16.7 per cent. Asians and Africans took the least amount of loans at 8.3 per cent, with 6 per cent stuck with bad loans.
Car loans accounted for 65.3 per cent of Emirati debt, followed by loans to build a home, credit cards and wedding expenses.
Addressing insolvency among young nationals should be a society-wide effort, said Mr Al Kamda.
“The borrowing habits we have seen from the numbers is a concern for us. I don’t worry if a national borrows to build a home because that is important. I worry when a national puts priority on a luxury car rather than other important issues.
“This is a situation where we have to work together. Universities, the education system is responsible. Financial institutions have to ensure that people do not borrow more than their ability to repay.
“We know it’s commercial but it must be an effort by everyone to educate the youth about good borrowing for necessities rather than to be seen in a good car. We need to embed this and educate youth that is not a good way to start life.”
The study revealed that, chronic diseases, mental retardation, motor disabilities and speech difficulties made up 67 per cent of disabilities among the Emirati community. Elderly nationals preferred home care over a permanent stay in a seniors’ home.
The CDA plans to open a social club where elderly Emiratis can engage in activities with their peers. This comes after seniors voiced a preference for the establishment of social and cultural clubs in earlier surveys.
Participants for the study were randomly selected, with 56 per cent male and 44 per cent female. Five hundred labourers also took part.
Sixty-seven per cent of those surveyed employed in Dubai felt safe from unfair work practices in their jobs, but only 56.9 per cent of labourers shared that feeling.
Mr Al Kamda attributed this to the transient nature of construction jobs and lack of job security.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
