Introduction

A Vision of Happiness in the UAE

A Vision of Happiness in the UAE

A Vision of Happiness in the UAE

To the cynical mind of the average Briton, a state-sponsored National Programme for Happiness and Positivity 1 might conjure up an image that sits somewhere between Yes Minister and Soviet-era propaganda.

Yet this initiative in the UAE, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and supported by an appointed Minister of State for Happiness and teams of Happiness and Positivity Officers has the laudable aim of making residents of the Emirates the ‘happiest people in the world’.  As Sheikh Mohammed is reported as saying:

"We, in the UAE, believe that people’s happiness is a renewable and sustainable asset and an indicator for a positive and coherent society”2

Driven by the public sector via a raft of policies, programmes and services, but also expected to be developed amongst the private sector, the impact of this strategy will be measured by a new happiness index. 

This initiative is one of many strings to the UAE’s vision20213 programme.  Whether it achieves its goal of knocking the Scandinavians off the top of the global happiness index remains to be seen but isn’t there something refreshingly simple about a government aspiring to make its residents happy? 

When we start hearing reports of happy lawyers, we will know they’re onto something!


With a great social scene, high-quality work, lucrative tax-free salaries and smaller more personal teams, there is already plenty to make ex-pat lawyers in the UAE happy.  Jason Horobin is Head of International at Origin Legal and has been helping lawyers to make international career moves for over sixteen years.  If you are interested in discussing a move to the UAE or elsewhere please get in touch at [email protected]


1. http://www.cipd.ae/people-management-magazine/hr-news-opinion/uae-high-levels-happiness-work?utm_medium=email&utm_source=cipd&utm_campaign=PMME_weekly&utm_term=1431875&utm_content=PMME_weekly_121016-7448-19450-20161013085400-Employees%20in%20UAE%20report%20high%20levels%20of%20happiness%20at%20work

2. http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/the-uaes-pursuit-of-happiness

3. https://www.vision2021.ae/en/our-vision

Origin Legal – A Take on Legal Apprenticeships with Howes Percival LLP

By Jason Nottage | March 18, 2024 | 0 Comments
Origin Legal – A Take on Legal Apprenticeships with Howes Percival LLP. Last week Jason Nottage spoke with Howes Percival’s HR business partner Katy Tebbutt to discuss all things to do with Legal Apprenticeships. As an innovative law firm, Howes…

Origin Legal interview with Nexa Law

By Taylor Day | February 27, 2024 | 0 Comments
Origin Legal interview Nexa Law Jason Nottage recently sat down with John McAuley and Eliot Hibbert from Nexa Law to discuss the world of consultancy and all things Nexa. The firm has been going from strength to strength in recent…

Why you should consider practicing Planning & Environment Law in the UK. 

By Stuart Phillips | February 5, 2024 | 0 Comments
Why you should consider practicing Planning & Environment Law in the UK.  I began recruiting Planning & Environment Lawyers in 2002.  I didn’t take long to realise that they are nice people who were enthusiastic about the work that they…

Secret Santa Colchester Foodbank Donation

By Taylor Day | December 19, 2023 | 0 Comments
Secret Santa Colchester Foodbank Donation For Christmas this year, our team embraced the spirit of giving, rather than participating in the traditional Secret Santa exchange, we collectively chose to contribute to our local food bank, which plays a crucial role…

Origin Legals interview with Bexley Beaumont

By Jason Nottage | October 31, 2023 | 0 Comments
Origin Legal Interviews Bexley Beaumont On a recent revisit to Birmingham Jason Nottage got the chance to sit down again with Karen Bexley and Anna Beaumont to discuss the latest happenings at Bexley Beaumont and what life looks like for…

0 comments on “A Vision of Happiness in the UAE

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *