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We're quite satisfied, but apprehensive, survey says

"The degree of happiness is becoming an international trend in measuring a nation's strength. Our survey is a call to the government. Please take a look at why people are unhappy."

Lee Hsueh-ki, author of the survey published by CommonWealth magazine

Although most people seem to be feeling satisfied with their lives for the moment, many are also pessimistic about the future against a backdrop of alleged government inefficiency and unemployment, a survey claimed yesterday.

The three-month survey conducted by CommonWealth magazine sampled 10,285 interviewees in all 25 of the nation's cities and counties. The "degree of happiness" was measured through a number of variables, including a city or county's potential for development, individual economic standing, female employment, sense of security and environmental quality.

The findings revealed that while more than 70 percent of people expressed satisfaction with their lives, only 35 percent thought that they would be better off in five years.

"People feel uncertain about the future," said Wang Hao-wei (王浩威), executive director of the Taiwan Institute of Psychology, who acted as a consultant for the study. "Without a sense of direction, people often burden themselves with unnecessary anxiety and pressure."

Wang said that the public sense of well-being is closely linked to government performance. If people have a better idea of where the nation is heading and where their future lies in the bigger picture, they will feel more confident and happier, he said.

"For example, in Taipei, the rich sometimes are in despair. In Shanghai, even the poor feel hopeful," Wang said, though he provided no data on China to support his assertion.

The survey said that causes of unhappiness vary between urban and rural areas.

While people in Taipei City, Taipei County, Taoyuan County and Kaohsiung City are upset by a perception of worsening public safety, people in less developed counties, such as Ilan and Ping-tung, are worried by a perception of "soaring unemployment."

On the other hand, people living on outlying island counties were unsatisfied because of what the survey called "poor medical care."

Regional differences aside, the survey suggested that more than 50 percent of people nationwide fear that their children will not succeed in a shrinking job market.

"The performance of county commissioners also plays a key role in determining the locals' sense of happiness," said Lee Hsueh-ki (李雪莉), who wrote the report.

"In addition to boosting GDP, the government's ability to offer nursing facilities for the elderly and create a secure and pleasant living environment for all is crucial," Lee said.

The GDP indicator is no longer the sole index of a nation's competitiveness, the report said. Lee cited the British government as an example, who adopted a new indicator called the Measure of Domestic Progress to calculate the toll that economic growth takes on society and the natural environment.

"The degree of happiness is becoming an international trend in measuring a nation's strength," Lee said. "Our survey is a call to the government. Please take a look at why people are unhappy."

The report showed that people in Taipei City, Hsinchu City and Taichung City were happier than people in other counties.
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