The Republic has been ranked 97th out of 145 countries in a Global Well-Being Index survey by analytics firm Gallup and well-being solutions provider Healthways announced on Wednesday (Jun 24).
The index was based on interviews with more than 146,000 people aged 15 and older, in 145 countries, territories and areas in 2014. The annual survey measured five indicators: Financial well-being, community well-being, purpose well-being, social well-being and physical well-being.
Survey respondents were asked ten questions and asked to rate their responses on a five-point scale. Responses were categorised by Gallup analysts as “thriving”, “struggling” or “suffering”. Countries are then ranked on the percentage of the population that is “thriving” in three or more elements of well-being.
For financial well-being, which Gallup defined as “managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security”, Singapore was ranked ninth worldwide.
Singapore was ranked 72nd worldwide for community well-being, defined as “liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community”.
It scored 111th in purpose well-being – “Liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals”; 127 in social well-being – “having supportive relationships and love in your life”; and 137th in physical well-being – “having good health and enough energy to get things done daily”.
The index aggregates the scores in the five categories to arrive at Singapore’s overall 97th ranking.
Among South-east Asian nations, the Republic ranked behind Myanmar (20), Malaysia (41), Philippines (43), Thailand (50), Indonesia (73), Vietnam (93). Cambodia came in slightly below Singapore at 99.
Globally, Panama came in first for the second consecutive year topping the list for physical and purpose well-being, and second place for social and community.
Afghanistan ranked last overall, also coming in last in purpose, social and financial well-being.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
