The soft factors of happiness and openness are highly relevant for a successful and attractive business hub. Here in Rhineland-Palatinate, we know that a good life is the key to better work and that cultivating positive emotions not only enhances productivity but also fuels innovation.
With the first representative German Happiness Index, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture and Viniculture explores the happiness and well-being of people in Germany, as well as the factors that contribute to their satisfaction in both their personal and professional lives.
How happy are Germans?
The German Happiness Index reveals that despite the many crises, 44 percent of the people in Germany report a substantial level of happiness. This is great news – because happiness increases resilience in times of crisis. Here in Rhineland-Palatinate in particular, people have demonstrated this time and again.
Even if work is in fifth place, it’s still a key component: people in Germany like to work. Around 64 percent of Germany’s workforce says that they enjoy their current job. When asked about specific activities, the employees surveyed said they enjoy solving complex problems (42 percent) and working together with colleagues (41 percent) more than creative tasks (27 percent) or manual work (10 percent).
This is what fosters happiness.
Besides your own personal mindset, there are several other factors that are believed to be the key to happiness. In Rhineland-Palatinate, quality time with friends and family and good food and drink have a positive impact on people’s happiness that is greater than the average for Germany
Work first, play later?
There is a clear difference between the generations regarding the prioritization of work and personal life. While 4 out of 5 individuals aged 65 and above (82%) agree with the statement “work comes before pleasure,” only 59 percent of those aged 18 to 29 share this perspective.
Half of those surveyed (49%) believe that it is primarily the employer’s responsibility to create a healthy work-life balance. Still, when it comes to what takes priority in the workplace itself, appreciation and recognition of achievements are clearly at the top of the list. For 63 percent of the people, these are even more important than their salary.
For many people, where they live and work often has a decisive influence on their quality of life and happiness: For 69 percent of the population, where they live greatly influences their personal happiness. 83 percent of the working population in Rhineland-Palatinate and 80 percent of the working population in Germany consider it important to work in a place that offers a good quality of life.
We know how to enjoy life here.
In our state, you will encounter uniquely sociable and happy people: Almost every second respondent from Rhineland-Palatinate (49%) says that people in their region know how to enjoy life – the national average is just 37%. A full two out of three residents of Rhineland-Palatinate (64%) would recommend living in their region.
Since we like to share, it comes as no surprise that 63 percent of people working in Rhineland-Palatinate would recommend that others move to the region.
In Rhineland-Palatinate, skilled professionals from all over Germany and abroad are welcomed by cosmopolitan people: 60 percent of the workforce enjoys working with colleagues from other countries.
Downloads
The complete German Happiness Index factsheet can be downloaded here.
In cooperation with opinion research institute Civey, 5,000 inhabitants of Germany aged 18 and over and 10,000 people from the working population were surveyed online from February 16, 2023, to March 23, 2023.
Further information can be found here:
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