* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the state agency commissioned with producing official statistics on the country, shared the results of its "Life Satisfaction Survey" for 2020 today (February 18).
While 52.4 percent of individuals aged 18 and over mentioned that they were happy in 2019, the proportion was 48.2 percent in 2020.
The proportion of individuals who mentioned that they were unhappy was 13.1 percent in 2019 and 14.5 percent in 2020.
Women were happier than men
While the proportion of men who said that they were happy was 47.6 percent in 2019, it was 43.2 percent in 2020. The proportion of happiness for women was 57 percent in 2019 and 53.1 percent in 2020.
It was seen in the TurkStat survey that married individuals were happier than unmarried individuals. While the proportion of married individuals who mentioned that they were happy was 51.7 percent, this proportion was 41.3 percent for unmarried ones in 2020.
When the level of happiness of married individuals was analyzed by sex, it was seen that 46.7 percent of married men and 56.8 percent of married women were happy, according to the TurkStat.
The happiest ones: Age group of 65 and over
When the level of happiness was analyzed by age groups, the highest level of happiness was at 65 and over age group with 58.5 percent in 2019 and 57.7 percent in 2020. The lowest level of happiness, on the other hand, was seen at the 55-64 age group with 48.7 percent in 2019 and it was seen at the 35-44 age group with 45.4 percent in 2020.
When the level of happiness was analyzed by level of education, it was seen that the highest level of happiness was seen among the individuals who did not complete school with 54.4 percent in 2020.
It was followed by individuals who were primary school graduates with 50.3 percent, high school and equivalent graduates with 46.8 percent, higher education graduates with 46.1 percent, primary education or junior high school graduates with 44.2 percent, respectively.
What made people happy in 2020?
When the persons as source of happiness were analyzed in 2020; while the proportion of individuals who mentioned that their families made them happiest was 69.7 percent, it was followed by children with 15 percent, themselves with 4.2 percent, parents with 3.6 percent, spouse with 3.5 percent and grandchildren with 2.2 percent, respectively.
When the values as source of happiness were analyzed in 2020; while the proportion of individuals who mentioned that their health made them happiest was 70.9 percent, it was followed by love with 12.8 percent, success with 8.8 percent, money with 4.6 percent, job with 2.3 percent.
7 out of every 10 hopeful about their future
When the level of satisfaction from public services was analyzed in 2020; while the proportion of ones who stated that they were satisfied with the public security services was 77.4 percent, it was followed by satisfaction levels from transportation and health services with 72.1 percent, services of Social Security Institution with 63.9 percent, judicial services with 60.4 percent and education services with 56.2 percent respectively.
The proportion of individuals who mentioned that they were hopeful about their own future was 69.6 percent in 2020. While the proportion of males who were hopeful about their own future was 68.5 percent, this proportion for females was 70.7 percent. (HA/SD)