The UAE is gearing up to roll out a new happiness survey to gauge what makes nationals, expatriates and tourists happy. The survey is scheduled to begin on December 12 and will run until January 15.

The survey Intended to establish the baseline of happiness in the UAE and adjust government services accordingly. Data collected will be highly confidential as per the federal statistics law.

The national programme for happiness and positivity was approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai on March 8 of this year.

Shaikh Mohammad had said at the March meeting, that, "The government will lay down the foundation for an appropriate environment to ensure the happiness and well-being of the UAE society."

"Our aim is to make happiness a lifestyle in the UAE community, as well as the noble goal and supreme objective of the government," he said.

The Minister of State for Happiness, at the Executive Office in Dubai, Uhoud Khalfan Al Roumi, presented the programme.

“Measuring happiness is one of our most important objectives. We want to know what makes a stay-at-home mother happy, what makes students happy and what makes employees, labourers and elderly happy. We want to reach all segments of society and ask them what affects their happiness,” said at the time.

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- Nandini