Sabra happiness

March 29, 2009 - 9:44 PM by

Prickly, but generally satisfied

Prickly, but generally satisfied

A poll recently published by the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies shows that 86% of the 1006 adult Jewish Israelis surveyed are very happy or happy in their life, and 53% are very happy in their marriage, while another 44% are just happy. I found myself noting this particular aspect of the poll, which was sent to me via email, because it reminded me of the “happiness quotient” asked of the family profiled each weekend in Ha’aretz, in which the interviewees respond on a scale of one to ten. I always wonder how I would answer, and how one’s response can easily change from week to week.

Anyway. According to the poll, those Sabras surveyed with higher income tend to be happier, particularly if they are anticipating a rise in income. But while being married tends to increase happiness, at the same time, married people have to share their income increase with their spouse, and therefore have less of a “happiness boost” when their family income increases. Which made me think about the article I read this morning, discussing the fact that those living in Israel’s Dan region, aka, the greater Tel Aviv area, have been hardest hit by the recession that supposedly hasn’t yet hit Israel. These are the folks that used to have higher incomes, but now have lower or no income. Which, in theory, would make them unhappy. Unless they’re married.

Another surprising result from the survey is that immigrants to Israel are more likely to be happy than Israelis born in Israel, as being born in Israel reduces the probability to be happy by 8%. That result, says the JIMS, is very unique, given that immigrant populations are usually less happy than native populations because they have less of a social network and struggle with cultural differences in their new country. But the survey found that the more voluntary the immigration, the happier the immigrant. Olim from Western countries are the happiest, and are, on average, 13.5% more likely to be happy than Sabras. Which should make me happy. I think it does.

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One Comment on Sabra happiness

  1. Global Voices Online » Israel: Survey Finds Happiness Linked to Wealth, Immigration on Wed, Apr 1st 2009 7:12 PM

    2. [...] those from Western countries, were found to be 13.5% happier than native born Israelis, Israelity reports. Cancel this [...]

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