A social survey for 2004, carried out by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and published last week showed that about 82% of Israeli adults were either satisfied or very satisfied with their lives
52% of respondents said they were optimistic about their future and believe their lives will improve in the short term, 27% of the respondents estimated their economic situation will remain almost unchanged. Another, 11% believed their situation will deteriorate.
The social survey also pointed out that 47% of Israelis are pleased with their economic situation. 41% said they believe their situation will improve in the next few years, 32% felt their situation will not change and 16% said their situation will worsen. About 80% of employed respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. Within the Jewish population, 82% are happy, in comparison to 72% in the Arab sector.
The survey also revealed a strong correlation between education and level of satisfaction with life. The lower the level of education, the less satisfied a person tended to be. 75% of uneducated and poorly educated persons were satisfied with their lives, compared with 88% of persons with matriculation certificates, 82% of persons with higher education, and 86% of persons with academic degrees.
According to the social survey, the level of satisfaction was high among young people compared with adults, and higher among single and married citizens, 84%, in comparison to divorcees – 63% and widows 66%.
