The UAE Capital was also ranked first in the Arab world in the Happiness and Comfort Index, part of the Global Happiness Report 2020

The quality-of-life indicators recorded increased happiness and satisfaction rates in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the emirate's pioneering efforts to ensure the sustainability of community well-being, the Department of Community Development (DCD) has revealed.

The results released on the International Happiness Day, which falls on March 20, reflects the emirate’s pioneering efforts to ensure community wellbeing and provide a high-quality life.

Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, stressed that caring for community members and enhancing lifestyle leads to achieving a better quality of life and happiness.

He noted that happiness should be considered as one of the main factors for the society’s well-being, in addition to socioeconomic indicators.

The happiness and well-being index is one of the key indicators of quality of life, which includes two basic criteria - life satisfaction and happiness. The results showed an increase in the happiness index by 7.8 per cent, from 7.17 to 7.727 points out of 10; the life satisfaction index increased by 6.68 per cent, from 6.68 to 7.1258 points; the work-life balance index (satisfied and very satisfied) saw an increase of up to 16 per cent, from 36.6 percent to 52.6 percent; and the overall residence satisfaction in Abu Dhabi index (satisfied and very satisfied) increased from 67.9 percent to 69.8 percent, while the xatisfaction with current housing income index increased from 33 percent to 38.5 percent.

Abu Dhabi was also ranked first in the Arab world in the Happiness and Comfort Index, part of the Global Happiness Report 2020.

Al Khaili added that the UAE and its wise leadership strives to solidify the concept of happiness and social well-being in citizens and residents. This has led the UAE to become one of the most prominent countries in achieving the highest levels of satisfaction and happiness. DCD conducts periodic studies and annual surveys to identify the society needs and ambitions and boost development in line with the department’s vision to achieve a dignified life for all members of the community.

The UAE maintained its highest ranking among Arab countries for the 7th consecutive year in the World Happiness Report 2021. It’s also continuing global advancement and leading over many advanced countries and economies, according to the annual report that is released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

Al Khaili noted that the UAE has made great efforts to improve community members’ happiness by upgrading services in many key sectors, including education and healthcare, in addition to providing a strong infrastructure to achieve prosperity.

DCD’s Chairman stressed that the growth witnessed in indicators of happiness and quality of life clearly reflect the department's interest in improving the quality of life for the Abu Dhabi community members, in line with government directives to boost citizens and residents’ happiness and satisfaction and provide a decent standard of living for all members of community. Such directives are directly related to DCD’s mandate, as the custodian of Abu Dhabi’s social sector agenda, striving to raise the quality of services in the sector.