Happiness of New Zealand

Transcription

1 UMR Omnibus Results January 2012 Happiness of New Zealand WELLINGTON 3 Collina Terrace Thorndon WELLINGTON 6011 NEW ZEALAND Tel: Fax: Website: Facebook: AUCKLAND Level 1 46 Parnell Road Parnell AUCKLAND 1052 NEW ZEALAND Tel: Fax: SYDNEY Level One, Suite Oxford Street SYDNEY NSW 2022 AUSTRALIA Tel: Fax:

2 Methodology Results in this report are based upon questions asked in the UMR Research nation-wide omnibus survey. This is a fortnightly telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of 750 New Zealanders aged 18 and over. The analysis focuses on one question, Using a 0 to 10 scale where 0 means very unhappy and dissatisfied and 10 very happy and satisfied please tell me how happy and satisfied you are with the way your life is going. Fieldwork was conducted on 35 separate occasions; between late June 2010 and December The total sample size is n=26,250, which has allowed for detailed demographic analysis. These results are compared against our second and third set of public results; the second looked at fieldwork conducted between June 2008 and June 2009, and the third between June 2009 and June Most of the analysis in this report looks at the respondents who gave a 9 or 10 on the 0 to 10 scale. The sample size for this analysis is n=7071. The margin of error for a 5 figure at the 95% confidence level is +/- 1.2%. 2

3 Highlights Overall happiness is fluctuating more this year, with the highest point occurring in September 2011 and the lowest in May Females are still happier than males although the difference between them is closing. Happiness is greater amongst older people (65 plus age groups). People in the middle age groups are less happy. West Coast/Buller, Northland and Timaru/Oamaru are the happiest regions. Marlborough is the least happy. By gender: o The happiest males are in Timaru/Oamaru, Taranaki and Northland. o The happiest females are in Northland, Timaru/Oamaru and Taranaki. Retirees and homemakers are the happiest occupations. Low happiness levels were recorded for unemployed people. Ethnically, Pacific Islanders and Māori were the happiest. Home owners with no mortgage are happier than those with a mortgage or renting. Widow(er)s and married people are happier than divorced and single New Zealanders. Those living without children are happier than those living with children. 3

4 Lt Jun-09 Jul-09 Md Jul-09 Lt Jul-09 Aug-09 Lt Aug-09 Sep-09 Lt Sep-09 Oct-09 Lt Oct-09 Nov-09 Lt Nov-09 Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Lt Feb-10 Mar-10 Lt Mar-10 Apr-10 Lt Apr-10 May-10 Lt May-10 Jun-10 Lt Jun-10 Jul-10 Md Jul-10 Lt Jul-10 Aug-10 Lt Aug-10 Sep-10 Lt Sep-10 Oct-10 Lt Oct-10 Nov-10 Lt Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Lt Feb-11 Mar-11 Lt Mar-11 Apr-11 Lt Apr-11 May-11 Lt May-11 Jun-11 Lt Jun-11 Jul-11 Lt Jul-11 Aug-11 Lt Aug-11 Sep-11 Md Sep-11 Oct-11 Md Oct-11 Lt Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Trend Line Throughout the previous two and a half years, happiness has fluctuated above and below the 3 mark. In the last year, these fluctuations have become slightly larger with more months reporting levels of happiness around 2. Levels of those who reported being very happy also showed similar fluctuations. The actual average over the whole period from June 2009 until December 2011 was 27.4%. This was lower in comparison to UMR s first happiness report, when the average level of happiness was 32.9% (surveys conducted from August 2007 to February 2008). Low points were recorded in July and August 2011 with the lowest point recorded so far in May 2011 (20.7%). Happiness spiked in the April and September surveys with September s levels the highest since Total Very Happy (9-10) 'Very happy' (10's Only) Average: 27.4% Average: 15.7% 4

5 Lt Jun-09 Jul-09 Md Jul-09 Lt Jul-09 Aug-09 Lt Aug-09 Sep-09 Lt Sep-09 Oct-09 Lt Oct-09 Nov-09 Lt Nov-09 Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Lt Feb-10 Mar-10 Lt Mar-10 Apr-10 Lt Apr-10 May-10 Lt May-10 Jun-10 Lt Jun-10 Jul-10 Md Jul-10 Lt Jul-10 Aug-10 Lt Aug-10 Sep-10 Lt Sep-10 Oct-10 Lt Oct-10 Nov-10 Lt Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Lt Feb-11 Mar-11 Lt Mar-11 Apr-11 Lt Apr-11 May-11 Lt May-11 Jun-11 Lt Jun-11 Jul-11 Lt Jul-11 Aug-11 Lt Aug-11 Sep-11 Md Sep-11 Oct-11 Md Oct-11 Lt Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Trend Line - Gender Differences - In previous months, females showed a higher level of happiness than males, however in recent months this gap seems to be closing. Over the last 30 months of surveys, an average of 29.2% of females were happy and satisfied with the way their life was going. This was a significantly higher proportion than males, of whom 25.6% were happy and satisfied. Since 2009 the levels of happiness have fluctuated. Female happiness peaked at 35.7% in April 2011, followed by a low of 21.1% in May. Male happiness started off low in 2011 but peaked at 36.3% in September followed by a low of 22.3% the survey after. 5 4 Female Male Female Average: 29.2% Male Average: 25.6% 5

6 39.9% 33.6% 27.4% 31.3% 31.8% 29.5% 26.6% 26.7% 24.6% 24.8% 24.8% 23.9% 21.7% 21.9% % 25.3% 25.5% 23.3% 21.4% 19.7% 26.7% 23.9% 21.9% 26.9% 27.2% 26.5% 34.8% 31.8% 31.1% 38.2% % 39.2% 35.9% 37.9% 40.5% 37.1% 39.7% Age Higher levels of happiness continued to be greater at each end of the age spectrum although there was a drop in the happiness of those in the age groups from 2008/2009. New Zealanders in the oldest three (aged 65 plus) age brackets were significantly happier than those in the middle aged brackets (aged 35 to 49). Those in the youngest age bracket were also happier than those in the middle age brackets This trend was recorded through 2008 to The happiest age cohort was 75 plus (39.7%) closely followed by those aged (37.9%) and (36.2%). The least happiest are those aged (19.7%). The latest results are slightly lower than the 2007/08 results / /10 Jun 2010/Dec Plus 6

7 % % % 27.4% 28.2% 30.5% 27.8% 26.6% 27.5% 29.1% 26.7% % 28.9% 29.8% 34.7% 31.1% 29.3% % % 28.1% 31.9% 31.9% 25.6% % 25.5% 30.8% 27.7% 28.6% 35.7% 29.9% 23.2% 28.8% 30.2% 34.5% 29.4% 28.3% 25.1% 35.1% 33.5% 31.6% 28.9% 28.1% 28.1% 30.3% 29.3% 27.2% Region - All - Those in the West Coast/Buller region have become New Zealand s happiest region, with 34.5%. Close to them are Northland with 32%. Last years happiest region, Taranaki, has dropped down from 34.7 % to 31.1%. Marlborough was the least happiest region this year, dropping from 35.7% in 2008/2009 with Wanganui, Wellington,Wairarapa and Christchurch not too far behind. This year a few regions recorded an increase in their happiness levels. These include Northland, Waikato/Thames, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson and the West Coast/Buller / /10 Jun 2010/Dec Northland Auckland Waikato/Thames Bay of Plenty Gisborne Hawkes Bay Taranaki Wanganui Manawatu Wairarapa Wellington Nelson Marlborough West Coast/Buller Christchurch Timaru/Oamaru Otago Southland 7

8 Northland Auckland Waikato/ Thames Bay of Plenty Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay Manawatu/ Wanganui Taranaki Wellington Nelson/ Marlborough Christchurch Timaru/ Oamaru Otago Southland 30.5% 28.1% 29.4% 25.3% 25.3% 23.7% 29.6% % 25.3% 26.7% 26.8% 26.1% 27.5% 26.3% % 24.8% 26.3% 32.5% 29.5% 26.2% 21.8% 21.7% 26.1% 24.8% 27.5% 27.5% 23.4% 35.2% 30.8% 35.7% 29.7% 29.8% 26.7% 28.7% Region - Males Only - The happiest males in New Zealand were located in Timaru/Oamaru this year (29.7%) which differs from previous years when the happiest males were form the Nelson/ Marlborough area. Males in Taranaki were a close second (29.5%), followed by Northland (29.4%). Once again this year, the least happiest were males in the Wellington region (21.7%), followed by males from Christchurch (23.4%). Males in Northland, Waikato/Thames, the Bay of Plenty and Otago/Southland were the only ones to register an increase in their level of happiness from 2009/ / /10 Jun 2010/Dec

9 Northland Auckland Waikato/ Thames Bay of Plenty Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay Manawatu/ Wanganui Taranaki Wellington Nelson/ Marlborough Christchurch Timaru/ Oamaru Otago Southland 33.4% 32.6% 30.4% 29.7% 28.1% 30.9% 29.7% % 32.6% 32.6% 29.6% % % 27.8% 28.7% 34.4% 28.7% 26.5% 30.4% 28.9% 29.1% % 31.2% 28.8% 26.6% 30.9% 31.5% 33.3% 30.7% 30.1% 27.1% Region - Females Only - There was a shift in location for New Zealand s happiest female population. In 2009/10 the happiest females were located in Taranaki, similar to males, however this has now changed to Northland, where 34.4% of females are happy and satisfied with the way their life is going. Females in Timaru/Oamaru (33.3%), Taranaki (32.6%) and Gisborne/ Hawkes Bay (30.4%) closely followed, similar to previous years. Wellington have shifted from the least happiest region in 2009/10 making the least happiest females located in the Bay of Plenty (26.5%) followed by Christchurch (26.6%), Like in all previous surveys, females were happier than males in almost all areas. The exceptions this time around were the Bay of Plenty and Otago/Southland (the exceptions in 2009/10 were Nelson/ Marlborough and Manawatu/Wanganui) / /10 Jun 10/Dec

10 29.7% 30.4% 31.9% 31.6% 28.9% 26.4% 30.9% 27.9% 25.4% 26.9% 27.4% % 25.2% 24.1% 25.5% 25.2% 24.4% 26.9% 27.7% 24.5% 31.2% 30.5% 31.9% Personal Income In terms of personal income, New Zealanders in the top and bottom brackets were the happiest, following the same pattern as previous years. 31.9% of those whose income was $0 or who made a loss were happy, the same proportion to those earning more than $70,000. Following this were those in the $25,001-$30,000 income group with 27.. The level of happiness sagged in the middle income brackets, with those in the $30,001-$40,000 income group reporting the lowest levels of happiness (24.1%). This could be indicative of those who are struggling to get ahead / /10 Jun 10/Dec Income $0/ Made a loss Less than $15,000 $15,001-25,000 $25,001-30,000 $30,001-40,000 $40,001-50,000 $50,001-70,000 More than $70,000 10

11 14.6% 29.4% 30.2% 25.9% 24.6% 29.1% 26.8% 25.7% 26.9% 27.1% 23.1% 26.8% 24.6% % 25.9% 24.2% 27.9% 27.8% 25.6% 33.9% % 33.4% Household Income For household income, a similar pattern to personal income was identified. Households in the lower and higher income brackets were happier than those in the middle brackets. 33.9% of New Zealanders in the $0/Made a loss income group were happy followed by 33.4% of New Zealanders with a household income of more than $100,000. These two income groups were significantly happier than all the other income groups, who reported similar levels of happiness. Those in the $40,000-$50,000 income group displayed the lowest levels of happiness compared to other groups (23.) / /10 Jun 10/Dec Income $0/ Made a loss $20,000 or less $20,001-30,000 $30,001-40,000 $40,001-50,000 $50,001-70,000 $70, ,000 More than $100,000 11

12 Retired Homemaker Professionals, Managers Blue collar Students Self Employed Technicians, Associate Professionals Clerks Service & Sales workers Not employed 38.2% 32.3% 29.5% 29.1% 26.8% 25.7% 32.1% 25.5% 24.5% 27.5% % 24.7% 17.4% 28.4% 36.7% % 25.2% % % 26.1% 25.7% 24.1% 23.8% 23.8% 23.2% 19.7% Occupation Retirees continued to be the happiest occupational group from 2007 through to % of retired New Zealanders rated their happiness with a 9 or 10, which is down from the 2009/10 proportion of 36.7%. This was statistically higher than all other occupational groups. Homemakers was the next happiest group, followed by Professionals and Managers. Self employed New Zealanders registered the biggest drop in happiness, while unemployed New Zealanders registered the lowest level of happiness compared to the other groups (19.7%) although this is an increase from the previous year (19%) and the year before (17.4%). This could be attributed to a slight improvement in the economic environment / /10 Jun 10/Dec

13 18.1% 25.9% % 26.6% 29.8% 28.4% 29.5% % 16.8% 28.4% % 28.7% 27.5% 29.7% 27.1% 33.3% 28.6% 27.9% Ethnicity New Zealanders who identified themselves as Pacific Islanders were the happiest group overall. Māori were the second happiest single ethnic group, with their level of happiness increasing from 2009/10 (28.). Those in the Pacific Island and Māori ethnic groups were the only ones to show an increase in 2010/11. Those in the Asian ethnic group reported the biggest fall in happiness (down to 16.8%) / /10 Jun 10/Dec Pacific Island Māori British NZ European Other European Asian Other 13

14 27.9% 25.8% % 36.2% 34.5% 30.1% 26.3% 25.9% 24.7% 25.4% 23.6% 23.2% 21.8% 34.8% Home Status People who own a home without a mortgage are the happiest group of people in terms of home ownership status which has continued since % of home owners gave a happiness rating of 9 or 10 on the 0 to 10 scale which is an increase from the previous year (34.5%). Happiness slipped for all groups except those who own their own home freehold, where happiness edged up only 0.3%. Those who were renting and not looking to buy showed the lowest levels of happiness compared to other groups (21.8%) / /10 Jun 10/Dec Own Home Freehold Live with Parents Renting & Looking To Buy Own Home with Mortgage Renting & Not Looking To Buy 14

15 33.2% 32.8% 34.7% 33.7% 33.6% 32.5% % 29.5% 25.3% 26.1% 20.7% % 21.1% 34.3% 27.9% 29.1% 29.7% 27.7% 27.9% 25.2% 25.7% % % 21.8% 18.8% Marital Status Widows and widowers remain the happiest marital group in New Zealand. 29.1% of widowers, that is men whose wife has died and have not remarried, gave their happiness rating a 9 or 10 on the scale. 34.7% of widows (the female equivalent) did the same. For both men and women, the levels of happiness have increased since the 2009/10 surveys. For all other marital groups, except never been married, women were happier than men. There was a reasonable gender split between married people (32.5% of females were happy compared to 27.9% of men) and those in a de facto relationship. Females who have never been married were a lot less happier than they were in 2009/ Female 2008/ /10 Male 3 Jun 10/Dec Widowed Married/ Civil Union De Facto Never Been Married Separated/ Divorced - Widowed Married/ Civil Union De Facto Never Been Married Separated/ Divorced 15

16 31.4% 30.2% % % 29.2% % 28.9% 27.2% % 25.5% 22.8% Other Demographics Like all the previous survey results, New Zealanders without dependent children under the age of 18 were significantly happier than those living with dependent children. 29% of those without children in their home were happy (down from 30.2%) compared to 23.5% of those with children (down from 25%). Those who vote National showed the highest levels of happiness (30.7%) compared to Green voters (26%) and then Labour voters (22.8%). All three parties reported a decrease in happiness from the previous year / /10 Jun 10/Dec No Dependent Children Have Dependent Children - National Voters Green Voters Labour Voters 16