Fact-a-day

Very happy

February 24th, 2010 by admin

70% of people say their quality of life in SA is much better than it would be elsewhere (50% feel this strongly). (FutureFact 2009)

This week’s theme: Futurefact 2009

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8 Responses to “Very happy”

  1. Ann says:

    I’d be interested in the demographics of this statistic.
    And how many of these people have actually travelled…

  2. Max says:

    Im happy for those 70% of people, but i suspect they have not travelled much.

  3. Debbie says:

    I very much doubt that 70 % of South Africans have been overseas. Therefore how could the % be as high as 70 % ?

  4. Sandy says:

    I have travelled extensively and agree with the stats. All of my family live overseas and I can tell you that we have a far better quality of life and are much happier, in general. Crime for us is of course an issue but we have, in the most part, devised means of dealing with it.

  5. futurefact 2009 has a fairly big section on people’s commitment to South Africa. 25% of 15-24 year olds,14% of 25-34 year olds, 9% of 34-49 year olds and 7% of 50 plus are seriously considering leaving the country to work or live abroad and it is around 14% for all race groups. Many intend coming back, but the proportion of graduates who don’t, is a little concerning. There does seem to be an acknowledgement that despite the issues (and of course crime and jobs are massive concerns for all), that life here is as good as it would be elsewhere even if the problems are somewhat different.

  6. Abraham Cunio says:

    If this result includes all race groups,it is a very interesting result.

    Abraham

  7. Dan says:

    It may include all race groups, but does it cover all income brackets? There is no comparison between the quality of life of the poorest 25% or even 50% of the population of RSA with that of say the USA. To claim that the poor in South Africa are better off than the poor in the first world is incredibly naive. Which means that either this statistic is limited to the South Africa’s wealthy, or it proves that the poorest of our country have no idea what else is out there. Sad either way.

  8. Yes, the study includes all race groups and all income groups (all living standard measures or LSMs from 3 to 10). futurefact is a rigorous survey based on a national probability sample of 2500 people that has been conducted since 1998 to measure the attitudes, values and beliefs of South Africans. It is designed to track significant social trends in the society.

    To answer Dan’s question: not sure how he understand the fact-a-day. We are not claiming that the poor in SA are better off the poor in the first world. The figure just illustrates that people are conscious that the world over there are problems and immigration is not easy. Plus there are lots of things they value in this country according to the survey such as the beauty of the country, the diversity of the people and so on, despite the fact of the concerns they reflect on crime, unemployment etc. A big factor in this country is the rapid class mobility which has stalled in many first world countries.

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