Level of happiness in Turkey goes down in 2017: Survey

ANKARA

Levels of self-reported happiness among all individuals in Turkey were 58 percent in 2017, slightly down from 61.3 percent in 2016, according to figures released the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on Feb. 23.

While 64.5 percent of women said they were happy in 2016, 62.4 percent of women said the same in 2017. Some 53.6 percent of men said they were happy in 2017, down from 58.1 percent the previous year, TÜİK’s “life satisfaction survey” revealed.

In terms of age groups, the happiest age group in 2017 was the 65 years and above group, while the 45-54 age bracket was the unhappiest. In 2016, people aged 18-24 had the highest self-reported happiness.

Married people were happier than singles in 2017: 60.6 percent compared with 52.4 percent. Some 65.2 percent of married women and 55.7 percent of married men said they were happy.

Public security workers happiest

Among workers, the highest satisfaction level was seen in workers in the public security services in 2017, 74.4 percent of whom said they were happy. They were followed by workers in the transportation services at 72.3 percent, workers in health services at 71.7 percent, workers in the Social Security Institution (SSK) services at 62.5 percent, workers in the education sector at 54.6 percent, and workers in the justice system at 54.1 percent.

The survey also revealed that less educated people are happier. The happiness rate for individuals who did not complete school was 62.5 percent in 2017. The rate for primary school graduates was 57.7 percent, the rate for high school graduates was 57.4 percent, and the rate for higher education graduates was 56.9 percent.

Some 70.6 percent of respondents said the thing that made them happiest was their family. Children were cited by 14.3 percent of respondents, spouses were cited by 5.4 percent of respondents, parents were cited by 3.2 percent of respondents, and grandchildren were cited by 1.9 percent of respondents.

When respondents were asked about the most important factor for happiness, 68 percent of people chose “health.” “Love” came second with 16.6 percent, “success” was cited by 9 percent, “money” was cited by 3.9 percent, and “work” was cited by 1.9 percent.

A slightly lower number of people were optimistic about the future compared with 2016, 73.4 percent in 2017 against 76.8 percent in 2016.

The survey canvassed private households in Turkey with residents of 18 years and older.