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A new study by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) has found that South Africans' life satisfaction levels have declined over the past decade, but there is a glimmer of hope.
READ: Africans are unhappiest in 10 years
The study, which was conducted among 2 000 respondents, found that South Africans are becoming more adaptable and hopeful, which is leading to higher levels of satisfaction in some areas of their lives.
The study, which was released on Tuesday, also found that South Africans are experiencing lower levels of psychological stress, but they are also becoming less trusting of institutions, such as government, municipalities and police.
The report stated:
In 2022, the BMR study reported that South Africans’ life satisfaction levels declined in the last 10 years and reached the lowest level since the start of the study in 2012. However, the 2023 results reveal a glimmer of hope, with more South Africans feeling seemingly more satisfied about some of life's spheres.
The report stated:
READ: How happy are South Africans? Not very, says World Happiness Report
The BMR's senior researcher, Dr Jacolize Poalses, said that research on the state of happiness of a nation is important for understanding wellbeing beyond economic indicators. She said that the purpose of this research was to inform policy decisions and to guide social progress goals.
Poalses said:
Below are some of the key outtakes of the index:
