ASIA
15 November 2014
Happiness and well-being in Asia?
Asia confirms the old adage that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. The region's richest countries are not the happiest.
When visiting Asia's many countries, we can glean a variety of impressions of the people's happiness and well being.
Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand are often called the "lands of smiles". The peoples of Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore are more reserved. While Chinese friendship and hospitality are unrivalled, impersonal contacts can be less welcoming. In chaotic India, Amartya Sen's "argumentative Indian" is ever present.
One thing for sure is that happiness and human well being are not necessarily closely related to GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Thankfully several organizations are doing insightful research in the area.
A Gallup poll asking people if they experienced positive emotions the previous day confirms our casual impressions. Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand come in at 12th, 13th and 14th in the world, way ahead of all other Asian countries. Much further down the list are China (31st), Japan (60th), India (78th) and Korea (95th).
Another initiative, the Gallup-Heathways global well-being index seeks to address the aspects of life that "matter most to people" -- our sense of purpose, our relationships, our financial security, and our physical health. Based on a comprehensive survey of 134 countries, it categorises results as either thriving, struggling or suffering.
Only 17% of the global population is estimated to be thriving in three or more aspects of well-being.
The Americas are estimated to have the highest levels of well-being, with 33% of the population thriving in three or more aspects, with Europe well behind in second place at 21%. Panama, Costa Rica, and Denmark are the only countries with at least 40% of residents thriving in three or more aspects, with Panama standing out with 61%.
Only 14% Asian respondents are thriving in three or more elements -- a score less than the global average and equal to the Former Soviet Union. Asia scores very poorly for sense of purpose, meaning liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals. Only 13% of Asians are thriving on this aspect, equalling Middle East and North Africa for the world's lowest score on this aspect.
Asia also scores poorly for social well-being (having supportive relationships and love in your life), with only 19% thriving. For financial, community and physical well-being Asia's scores are close to the world average.
The Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia top the region for sense of purpose well-being. Over 40% of Mongolians and Vietnamese thrive in social well-being, more than double the regional average, while the Philippines and Malaysia are close behind with around 35%.
Japan and Taiwan top the region for thriving in financial well-being. Sri-Lankans are the most likely to thrive in community well-being, while China is least likely. One in four or more citizens in Malaysia, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh are thriving in physical well-being.
In China, just 9% of people are thriving when it comes to sense of purpose. In this context, a recent Gallup study found that the Chinese workforce is one of the least engaged in the world, even among professional workers and managers, just 8% of whom are fully engaged at work. By contrast, the US has one of the most engaged workforces in the world.
Chinese workplaces are often characterised by "command-and-control" hierarchies, and in many cases employees are promoted to management with little regard for their ability to motivate and develop others. The Chinese also fare relatively poorly on community well-being, denoting a lack of satisfaction with or involvement in their local communities.
Over the past several years, Indians' average rating of their own lives has been slowly declining, with an increase in the percentage of those who are suffering. The proportion of Indians who are suffering in social well being is alarmingly high, especially among the aged.
In India, having a job makes little difference to citizens' sense of purpose. As with China, a Gallup study found that India's workforce is among the least engaged in the world, a finding that has powerful implications for productivity and innovation in the country.
Indonesians' likelihood to be suffering in sense of purpose, and financial and social well-being is significantly lower than for Asians overall. It also boasts low suffering percentages in physical and community well-being. Despite this overall good result, there are great disparities in how Indonesians experience life, in light of the widening gap between rich and poor, and rampant official and business corruption.
The Japanese are more likely to be thriving in financial well-being than for other aspects. However, they do much less well for sense of purpose and physical well-being. Only 7% of Japan's workers enter their working place each day feeling motivated and enthusiastic. Japanese workplaces need to place greater emphasis on family-friendly policies and work-life balance. This would not only improve the population's well-being, but also workers' engagement and productivity.
The OECD's Better Life Index identifies some deep issues in Japanese lives. Only 17% of Japanese say that they trust the national government, much less than the OECD average if 39%. And only 30% of Japanese people say that they are in good health, much lower than the OECD average of 69%, and the lowest score across the 34 OECD countries. This may be due to long working hours, which leave insufficient time to exercise or to get enough rest.
The Ipsos Global Happiness Report finds that only 22% of Asians claim to be "very happy", much lower than Latin America's 31%, North America's 25% and the Middle East's 23%, but ahead of Europe's 13%. Indonesia has the world's highest percentage of very happy people (55%), well above the global average of 20%. India comes runner-up with 41%. Other, wealthier, Asian countries are much further down the list -- Japan 12%, China 10%, and Korea 6%.
Another Ipsos poll on happiness levels in Asia also provides some important insights. The poll covering China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, found that happiness levels were high in all markets, but highest in Malaysia.
Asian women are happier than men, especially in Singapore. In China, there are about half as many unhappy women (8%) as there are unhappy men (16%). Hong Kong has the region's highest proportion of unhappy citizens, with 24% of its men being unhappy.
Young Malaysians are significantly happier than their Asian counterparts, while young Koreans and Hong Kongers are the least happy. Right into their 30s, Malaysians show high happiness levels, in contrast to the lower happiness levels appearing in Hong Kong and Singapore. Korea wins the prize for the highest proportion of unhappy citizens in their 40s and 50s.
What determines happiness? The main factors behind happiness are personal and family health, relationship with spouse and the fulfilment of basic needs. And the personal financial situation, health and living conditions are the main causes of unhappiness.
Another exercise, the World Happiness Report 2013, confirms that happiness levels in Asia are behind North America, Western Europe and Latin America. Within Asia, Southeast Asia is doing better than East Asia, which is ahead of South Asia. And while happiness has improved in Southeast and East Asia over the past five years, it has declined in South Asia.
This quick survey of Asian happiness and well-being confirms the old adage that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand perform much better than wealthier countries of Northeast Asia.
While happiness and well-being are important life objectives, they can also be important for the economy and society. Happy people with high well-being are healthier, more productive and creative, and more resilient in the face if crises and shocks. And happy members of society can contribute to a rich civil society. Countries like Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the US highlight the importance of happiness and well-being to all aspects of economic, social and political life.
Asian government, business and civil society leaders must pay much greater attention to happiness and well-being, and not just economic growth. Indeed, as Asian societies are now maturing, happiness and well being can provide a new path to economic prosperity, as well as social stability and harmony.
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
Countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand are often called the "lands of smiles". The peoples of Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore are more reserved. While Chinese friendship and hospitality are unrivalled, impersonal contacts can be less welcoming. In chaotic India, Amartya Sen's "argumentative Indian" is ever present.
One thing for sure is that happiness and human well being are not necessarily closely related to GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Thankfully several organizations are doing insightful research in the area.
A Gallup poll asking people if they experienced positive emotions the previous day confirms our casual impressions. Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand come in at 12th, 13th and 14th in the world, way ahead of all other Asian countries. Much further down the list are China (31st), Japan (60th), India (78th) and Korea (95th).
Another initiative, the Gallup-Heathways global well-being index seeks to address the aspects of life that "matter most to people" -- our sense of purpose, our relationships, our financial security, and our physical health. Based on a comprehensive survey of 134 countries, it categorises results as either thriving, struggling or suffering.
Only 17% of the global population is estimated to be thriving in three or more aspects of well-being.
The Americas are estimated to have the highest levels of well-being, with 33% of the population thriving in three or more aspects, with Europe well behind in second place at 21%. Panama, Costa Rica, and Denmark are the only countries with at least 40% of residents thriving in three or more aspects, with Panama standing out with 61%.
Only 14% Asian respondents are thriving in three or more elements -- a score less than the global average and equal to the Former Soviet Union. Asia scores very poorly for sense of purpose, meaning liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals. Only 13% of Asians are thriving on this aspect, equalling Middle East and North Africa for the world's lowest score on this aspect.
Asia also scores poorly for social well-being (having supportive relationships and love in your life), with only 19% thriving. For financial, community and physical well-being Asia's scores are close to the world average.
The Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia top the region for sense of purpose well-being. Over 40% of Mongolians and Vietnamese thrive in social well-being, more than double the regional average, while the Philippines and Malaysia are close behind with around 35%.
Japan and Taiwan top the region for thriving in financial well-being. Sri-Lankans are the most likely to thrive in community well-being, while China is least likely. One in four or more citizens in Malaysia, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh are thriving in physical well-being.
In China, just 9% of people are thriving when it comes to sense of purpose. In this context, a recent Gallup study found that the Chinese workforce is one of the least engaged in the world, even among professional workers and managers, just 8% of whom are fully engaged at work. By contrast, the US has one of the most engaged workforces in the world.
Chinese workplaces are often characterised by "command-and-control" hierarchies, and in many cases employees are promoted to management with little regard for their ability to motivate and develop others. The Chinese also fare relatively poorly on community well-being, denoting a lack of satisfaction with or involvement in their local communities.
Over the past several years, Indians' average rating of their own lives has been slowly declining, with an increase in the percentage of those who are suffering. The proportion of Indians who are suffering in social well being is alarmingly high, especially among the aged.
In India, having a job makes little difference to citizens' sense of purpose. As with China, a Gallup study found that India's workforce is among the least engaged in the world, a finding that has powerful implications for productivity and innovation in the country.
Indonesians' likelihood to be suffering in sense of purpose, and financial and social well-being is significantly lower than for Asians overall. It also boasts low suffering percentages in physical and community well-being. Despite this overall good result, there are great disparities in how Indonesians experience life, in light of the widening gap between rich and poor, and rampant official and business corruption.
The Japanese are more likely to be thriving in financial well-being than for other aspects. However, they do much less well for sense of purpose and physical well-being. Only 7% of Japan's workers enter their working place each day feeling motivated and enthusiastic. Japanese workplaces need to place greater emphasis on family-friendly policies and work-life balance. This would not only improve the population's well-being, but also workers' engagement and productivity.
The OECD's Better Life Index identifies some deep issues in Japanese lives. Only 17% of Japanese say that they trust the national government, much less than the OECD average if 39%. And only 30% of Japanese people say that they are in good health, much lower than the OECD average of 69%, and the lowest score across the 34 OECD countries. This may be due to long working hours, which leave insufficient time to exercise or to get enough rest.
The Ipsos Global Happiness Report finds that only 22% of Asians claim to be "very happy", much lower than Latin America's 31%, North America's 25% and the Middle East's 23%, but ahead of Europe's 13%. Indonesia has the world's highest percentage of very happy people (55%), well above the global average of 20%. India comes runner-up with 41%. Other, wealthier, Asian countries are much further down the list -- Japan 12%, China 10%, and Korea 6%.
Another Ipsos poll on happiness levels in Asia also provides some important insights. The poll covering China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, found that happiness levels were high in all markets, but highest in Malaysia.
Asian women are happier than men, especially in Singapore. In China, there are about half as many unhappy women (8%) as there are unhappy men (16%). Hong Kong has the region's highest proportion of unhappy citizens, with 24% of its men being unhappy.
Young Malaysians are significantly happier than their Asian counterparts, while young Koreans and Hong Kongers are the least happy. Right into their 30s, Malaysians show high happiness levels, in contrast to the lower happiness levels appearing in Hong Kong and Singapore. Korea wins the prize for the highest proportion of unhappy citizens in their 40s and 50s.
What determines happiness? The main factors behind happiness are personal and family health, relationship with spouse and the fulfilment of basic needs. And the personal financial situation, health and living conditions are the main causes of unhappiness.
Another exercise, the World Happiness Report 2013, confirms that happiness levels in Asia are behind North America, Western Europe and Latin America. Within Asia, Southeast Asia is doing better than East Asia, which is ahead of South Asia. And while happiness has improved in Southeast and East Asia over the past five years, it has declined in South Asia.
This quick survey of Asian happiness and well-being confirms the old adage that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. South East Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand perform much better than wealthier countries of Northeast Asia.
While happiness and well-being are important life objectives, they can also be important for the economy and society. Happy people with high well-being are healthier, more productive and creative, and more resilient in the face if crises and shocks. And happy members of society can contribute to a rich civil society. Countries like Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the US highlight the importance of happiness and well-being to all aspects of economic, social and political life.
Asian government, business and civil society leaders must pay much greater attention to happiness and well-being, and not just economic growth. Indeed, as Asian societies are now maturing, happiness and well being can provide a new path to economic prosperity, as well as social stability and harmony.
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute
REFERENCES:
- Gallup. People worldwide are reporting a lot of positive emotions. May 21, 2014.- State of Global Well-Being: results of the Gallup-Healthways global well-being index.
- Global Happiness Report. Ipsos.
- What makes Asians happy? Ipsos.
- World Happiness Report 2013. Edited by John Helliwell, Richard Layard and Jeffrey Sachs.