Bahrain ranked 31, says World Well-Being Index

The Kingdom is fourth in the Middle East, behind UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia

Mohammed Zafran/DTNN

zafran@dt.bh

Manama

Bahrain has been ranked 31 among 145 countries, according to a recent index. 

The Global Well-Being Index formulated by Gallup-Healthways measures well-being across five elements: purpose, social, financial, community and physical. Countries are categorized as thriving, struggling or suffering in each element.

The index defines 'purpose' as motivation to achieve everyday goals, 'social' as supportive relationships in life, 'financial' as management of economic life, 'community' as the security of location of residence, 'physical' as having good health to get things done every day. 

The report stated 27.6 per cent of Bahrainis were thriving in 3 categories or more. Bahrain was impressive in the community category, ranking 17 but did not fare well in the purpose category, ranking 41.

The Kingdom came 34, 39 and 32 in social, financial and physical categories.

In the Middle East, UAE topped the list (rank 21), followed by Israel (22), Saudi Arabia (27), Bahrain (31), Kuwait (45), Algeria (64), Lebanon (89) Yemen (90), Jordan (101), Iraq (102), Palestine (112), Egypt (129) and Tunisia (141).

Gallup-Healthways collected data based on about 146,000 interviews with adults across 145 countries.

"The research concluded people with higher well-being have higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, are more resilient to challenges and are more likely to contribute to the success of their organizations and communities." Gallup-Healthway stated.

Panama leads the index, with 53pc of its residents thriving in three or more elements. Panama also tops in purpose (60pc) and physical well-being (52pc).

According to the index, 63pc of Puerto Ricans are thriving in social well-being, 69pc of Norwegians are thriving in financial well-being; and 50pc of Sri Lankans are thriving in community well-being.

Afghanistan ranks last with 0% of Afghans thriving in three or more elements.

U.S. ranked 23 in overall well-being, falling from 12 in 2013.

"Through scientific and peer-review research, we know that improving a population’s well-being has a significant impact on increasing performance and lowering healthcare costs. The fact that only 17pc of the world’s population is thriving in three or more elements of well-being represents a huge opportunity for community leaders, employers and insurers,” said Healthways International President Peter Choueiri.

“There are proven interventions that these leaders can and should leverage to improve the health and well-being of their populations and, at the same time, create measurable economic value,” he added.