Kuwait Is Not A Happy Place
Kuwait is not "a happy place to live in." I wonder why? Of course, it is not a place where you can have fun or enjoy, neither is this a cheap place to live in. Then, what else can we expect? Now, I am not the one who is saying this. According to the 2012 Happy Planet Index, out of 151 countries researched, Kuwait ranked at 143.
Clearly, with all the luxuries that we speak about, we are way behind when it comes to happiness. Yes, one hundred and forty-three out of 151.
The index uses global data on life expectancy, well being and ecological footprint to calculate this unhappiness score. Guess what, the happiest place on earth is Costa Rica.
I want to go live there. I know that saying this can enrage some people here who like to imagine that we live the perfect dream life but this kind of research involves the living conditions that countries endeavor to provide to their people so that they can have a good, decent life and ensure the same or better for next generations. In fact, I believe we, too, need measures and studies like this to show us how well or otherwise we are doing, regardless of the typical claims that everything is all right when it is actually not. Let us think about Kuwait right now and let me ask this very naive question.
How are we doing these days? Are we still a wonderland where we can live happily forever? That might have been true 20 years ago or perhaps even earlier. Right now, we are not doing well at all. How to measure the inhabitants' happiness? I am not part of the study that was made by Happy Planet Index but if I were to be asked how to check it out, I would say it can be judged by whether we are witnessing lesser complaints, less corruption , less protests and demonstrations, more achievements. Are these not the ways to know whether a place is working for the benefits for everyone, locals and expatriates? If you asked any Kuwaiti now about the things which he or she does not like, they would make a long list of things that should not be there at all compared to what citizens in other countries, especially those on top of that happy list, would come up with.
If you asked an expat, he or she would make an even longer list of the things that bother him or her here, things that should not be happening at all. So, when a country fails to provide ways to support people's living style and comfort – and I am not saying a fortune – then we must pause to think and consider why we figure at such a rank even if we do not agree with it. Kuwait is an oil-rich country but we are not doing enough to spread that feeling among the people.
We do not make them stakeholders in those large projects. The local manpower is squeezed like sardines like the government sectors with a masked employment. Kuwaitis do not have enough entertainment in their life. Most youth with a lot of spare time have nothing to do but hang out in malls or cafes. Since they find even that boring, they fill the gap by becoming involved in politics and spending time chatting and tweeting, instead of learning new talents. It is not fair to them at all.
They are wasting many of their talents and days in vain. For the record, I also believe equality is a measure that I wish more studies focus on. They should also study how Arab countries are being affected at a time when most countries are able hold on to their customs and traditions. I think in Kuwaiti society the main reason for unhappiness is often greed. The more we get, the more we want. I believe that happiness means something different for each person.
Some find peace in security while some find it when they check their bank accounts. I guess the fact that anyone is having a large bank account means that they are safe from poverty. Some find happiness in small things as long they have a roof above their head even if it was not a palace, while some find happiness in achievements.
The bottom line here is that happiness for all is tough mission for any country's leaders to achieve. It requires plans, efforts and the right people to carry out this mission for years and years. I say well done to those who made their countries a happy place and keep dreaming that may be one day, my country would also reach a better position. One day, not this year though.
By Muna Al-Fuzai
muna@kuwaittimes.net
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