DUBAI: As global dissatisfaction with current events rises, Saudi Arabia stands out with the highest personal satisfaction rate among surveyed countries, according to the latest FII Priority Global Survey.  

While 52 percent of people globally express frustration with the state of world affairs, 84 percent of Saudis report satisfaction with their personal lives — the highest recorded in the survey — underscoring the region’s resilience against broader global discontent. 

Conducted across 24 countries representing over 62 percent of the world’s population, the survey reveals stark contrasts in regional outlooks.  

“When we look at satisfaction at a country level, we see a great deal of variation. Satisfaction with citizens’ own lives is highest in Saudi Arabia on 84 percent and lowest in South Korea on 39 percent,” the FII survey report stated.  

“MENA countries report above-average satisfaction in all three elements — life, country, and world — reflecting regional stability and positive public sentiment,” Paloma Haschke-Joseph, director of FII’s research unit and think tank, THINK, told Arab News.

However, the findings noted that it is only in South Africa, the Ivory Coast, Argentina, Japan, Turkiye and South Korea that less than half of citizens are satisfied with their lives.  

“Turning to dissatisfaction, there is less of a range, with a low of 7 percent in Saudi Arabia compared to 38 percent in Turkiye, which has the highest levels of dissatisfaction measured,” the report added. 

In the Global South, 34 percent of respondents express satisfaction with their country’s direction, nearly triple the 12 percent recorded in the Global North. However, within their own countries, Saudi citizens are notably optimistic, with many expressing confidence in their future as geopolitical and economic tensions persist worldwide. 

Satisfaction rates across other countries vary widely, with South Korea reporting the lowest personal satisfaction at 39 percent. Looking to the future, economic optimism remains tempered in the Global North, where only 22 percent expect improvement, compared to a more positive 51 percent in the Global South. 

On a global scale, economic conditions dominate concerns, with 40 percent of respondents highlighting economic stability as their primary issue, followed by political stability at 19 percent and healthcare at 17 percent.

“Economic and governance concerns may have overshadowed environmental priorities as citizens respond to immediate financial and political challenges,” Haschke-Joseph said. 

In contrast to the broad decline in environmental concern, Japan and South Korea have high levels of concern, with 72 percent and 63 percent respectively, while Saudi Arabia registers lower-than-average concern for climate risks, at 41 percent. 

Financial stability is another top priority, with 53 percent identifying it as essential for quality of life and 48 percent citing it as critical for future health. Inflation and rising living costs remain a significant concern, with 57 percent of respondents reporting worsening conditions.  

While social inclusion ranks fifth among global issues, concerns over tolerance, economic equity, and the risk of class-based tension were more prominent in Europe at 9 percent than Asia at 5 percent.  

Despite these concerns, social cohesion — defined as local ties and community engagement — remains strong in Saudi Arabia, India, and Indonesia. 

Technology, though lower in priority, plays an increasingly vital role in daily life, with 63 percent of respondents feeling prepared for the digital era.  

African and Middle East and North Africa regions report the highest preparedness rates, while Europe lags at 50 percent. Among technology concerns, artificial intelligence ranks highest, especially in the Global South, where respondents worry about job displacement and control over digital tools. 

“The Global South more frequently integrates generative AI tools into daily life, with 67 percent in the Global South considering them essential, compared to only 33 percent in the Global North,” said Haschke-Joseph. 

She added: “Saudi respondents see value in generative AI but raise concerns about their country’s overall digital readiness, highlighting a need for broader digital infrastructure.” 

Saudi Arabia and India are among the Global South countries where technology is viewed as a pressing issue, with AI’s implications prompting concern. When asked if technologies like ChatGPT and AI pose a societal risk, 37 percent of respondents agreed, 24 percent disagreed, and 39 percent remained neutral. 

The FII Priority Global Survey offers a snapshot of the priorities, concerns, and aspirations of citizens worldwide, with insights for policymakers navigating these evolving challenges across the global economic, technological, and social landscape.