Dubai, 16th May 2015: Dubai-based ITHACA LIFE, a unique life coaching and personal change management business, today released the findings of its Fulfilment Index study.

This first edition of the research focused on the journey of expatriates before and after arriving in the UAE, as well as their level of fulfilment.
For this Fulfilment Index, ITHACA LIFE reached out to 400 nationally representative respondents in the UAE, leveraging the expert platform of a global research company,On Device Research, reaching respondents through their mobile phones and providing near instant findings.

Key ITHACA LIFE Fulfilment Index research findings:

Since arriving in the UAE, the top 3 improvements cited by respondents, werea better family life (36%), better job and career prospects (34%) and better finances (32%).

Interestingly, material things such ashaving a better car, ranked in the lowest across all nationalities at 13%. 

The main reason expats came to the UAE is not necessarily the favourable tax environment.

The top three reasons for people relocating to the UAE were a new job opportunity (45%), followed by quality of life (18%) and joining their partner (15%).  Interestingly, the fact that the UAE is a favourable tax environment ranked low, cited by only 5% of respondents by both genders.

The UAE continues to rank high for the quality of life it offers:

In an overwhelming majority, a compounded 92% of respondents ranked positively their quality of life in the UAE, an overall increase of 7% when compared to before they came to the UAE - whilst 8% only of respondents choose the lowest ranking for quality of living.

Overlaying age groups, the 35 to 49 year old segment was the most satisfied group with only 3% citing a low quality of life, whilst the 21 to 24 age group was the least satisfied with 14% of respondents within this age group.

An overwhelming 85% of UAE Nationals surveyed responded positively to considering themselves a happy/fulfilled person. The happiest UAE Nationals were in the 25 to 34 age group (91%).

Key changes that could make 65% of UAE respondents happier, remain focused on a job promotion and better finances:

Whilst having improved their lives by coming to the UAE, overwhelmingly, respondents selected a job promotion (34%) and better finances (31%) as the top 2 things that would help make their lifemore fulfilled, followed by starting a family (28%). The trigger for fulfilment for UAE nationals was different, being healthier ranking top of the list (32%), closely followed by starting/growing a family. For those studying at the moment, being healthier also ranked in 1st place (35%). 
Commenting on these results, Sophia Fromell, ITHACA LIFE Founder, said; “These results clearly indicate that our pursuit ofhappiness is never ending. We oftenrun after the next promotion, the next pay rise and when we actually get there we are not necessarily happier. What we tend to forget is that the journey to reach a goal is often more important than achieving the goal itself. It is that journey that makes us who we are, with all the knowledge, experience and memories we have collected along the way.” 

Keeping up appearances remains very important in the UAE for 64% of respondents:

When asked about the importance of how others perceive them in terms of social status and success in life, keeping up appearances remains an important behaviour. A large percentage of respondents cited that it is very important how others perceive them (34%) and that they will go out of their way to keep up appearances.Whilst still identifying this as important, a further 30% stated that this would only extend to their closest friends and family.Overall, only 14% stated that it is not important at all.

Interestingly men and women differ on the subject, with 40% of male respondents confirmed that it is very important how others perceive them and that they will go out of their way to keep up appearances.For women, their view was more humble, whilst realising its importance, they stated that keeping up appearances was only important within their closest friends and family circle.

52% of respondents openly admit to feelings of envy towards other people who have achieved higher social status/success than them.

Respondents were equally divided about their feelings of envy towards others people with 52% responding positively and 48% responding negatively, only 4 points separating them.The percentage increases with the length of stay in the UAE. For those having lived in Dubai for 5 to 10 years + and those respondents born here, 57% responded positively to envy compared to 54% of those having lived in the UAE for less than 5 years.

Sophia added;“The results of this research are very revealing. The way we navigate changes in our lives is critical to our fulfilment. We are often driven by a materialistic society and we tend to focus on the next “big thing” as an indication of status and success. Once we get trapped on that path though, we tend to oversee the things that make us truly happy, such as family, friends, health and spirituality.We are consequently left confused as to why we are not contented with life.”

Sophia concluded; “As a qualified life coach, I work closely with my clients to help them develop a more positive and goal oriented mind-set. To progress towards genuine contentment, it must be all about the journey itself.”