Definition

A Happiness Index is a composite measure that evaluates subjective wellbeing, life satisfaction, and quality of life across a population. Unlike purely economic indicators such as GDP, happiness indices incorporate factors including social support, personal freedom, health outcomes, environmental quality, governance trust, and income security. The most widely referenced global benchmark is the UN World Happiness Report, which ranks countries annually based on survey data from Gallup World Poll.

UAE Context

The UAE has institutionalised happiness as a formal policy objective. In 2016, the government appointed a Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing and established the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing. The programme introduced a Customer Happiness Index measuring satisfaction with government services, installed happiness meters in service centres across the federation, and developed a National Wellbeing Strategy with 14 components spanning health, education, social relationships, and environmental quality. Government entities are evaluated on happiness scores as part of their performance assessments.

Key Data

The UAE has consistently ranked as the happiest country in the Arab world in the UN World Happiness Report, placing 22nd globally in the 2024 report. The government’s Customer Happiness Index targets a satisfaction rate exceeding 90 percent across all federal services. Every federal entity is required to appoint a Chief Happiness and Positivity Officer to embed wellbeing considerations into organisational culture and service design.

Vision 2031 Significance

The happiness agenda reflects the UAE’s holistic definition of national success — one that extends beyond economic metrics to encompass quality of life, social cohesion, and psychological wellbeing. By linking government performance evaluation to happiness outcomes, the UAE creates institutional incentives for responsive, citizen-centric governance that directly supports Vision 2031’s human development objectives.

Related Terms

• Smart Government — Digital service delivery designed to increase citizen satisfaction.
• National Wellbeing Strategy — The comprehensive framework under which the happiness programme operates.
• Quality of Life — The broader social development agenda happiness metrics support.
• UAE Cabinet — The body overseeing national happiness and wellbeing policy.