UAE LEADS VITALITY INDEX DESPITE BURNOUT AND FINANCIAL WORRIES
▶ Residents share daily concerns in study of 10,800 people from 12 nations
Common concerns among UAE residents are the cost-ofliving crisis, risk of burnout and financial stress, a survey has revealed.
Despite this, the UAE scored higher than anywhere else in the Cigna Healthcare Vitality Study, with a third of people reporting “high” vitality, more than double the average of 17 per cent.
The UAE, US, UK and Saudi Arabia were among 12 countries that took part in a study where 10,800 people were asked 35 questions on health and well-being.
The survey was designed to gauge perception of working life, finances, physical and emotional health, spirituality and intellectual capacity encompassed in an overall vitality score.
While 61 per cent of people in the UAE said they embraced working in an office environment, burnout, financial stress and the cost of living were common concerns.
“The vitality index is really the most comprehensive indicator for us in terms of reflecting on both physical health but also the broader terms of health care,” said Jerome Droesch of Cigna Healthcare. “It’s important to acknowledge the UAE is once again in the top three countries leading the world significantly above the average, and significantly above developed markets in Europe.”
In the UAE, 32 per cent of respondents reported high vitality levels, a 7 per cent decrease from the previous study. Women showed marginally higher vitality than men.
Those aged between 25 and 44 were the highest-scoring generation for overall vitality.
Intellectual and emotional well-being were priorities in the UAE, with 71 per cent valuing learning new things and 65 per cent looking forward to each new day. Environmental and social health were also key, with 63 per cent feeling connected to safe, welcoming places and capable of building meaningful relationships.
However, stress remained high in the UAE at 89 per cent, with 99 per cent experiencing at least one burnout symptom.
Of those surveyed, 89 per cent said they felt “always on”, while 32 per cent said they worked regularly outside of normal hours, down from 46 per cent of people in 2022. The study found the cost-of-living crisis was the leading cause of stress (45 per cent), followed by personal and family financial concerns.
“We’ve all observed the costof-living crisis in terms of inflation that is rising across the world, including real estate rental costs,” said Mr Droesch.
“Burnout is people in a severe situation where they cannot work any more or need treatment or medication. It can be sleep disruption, depression or becoming more emotional.” Demand for mental health support to address symptoms of burnout has soared.
In the UAE, the number of in-patient admissions for mental health increased from about 12 for every 100,000 people in 2017, to about 71 in 2020.
Since then more employers have offered support services, and more insurers are covering mental health treatment. Dr Shady Habboush, a consultant cardiologist at Saudi German Hospital in Dubai, said the Cigna survey showed there was a clear holistic approach towards health in the UAE.
“It tells us intellectual and emotional well-being are prioritised, with a majority valuing learning,” he said. The study “underscores the need for continuous improvement in stress management and mental health support”, he added.