Survey finds Israelis are optimistic

82% of Israelis are satisfied with their lives; 52% are optimistic over future.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
party time 88 (photo credit: )
party time 88
(photo credit: )
Eighty-two percent of Israelis aged 20 and older were satisfied with their lives, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported on Thursday. The 2005 social survey also found that half the population was satisfied with its financial situation, while roughly the same amount believed that the status of its finances would improve in the years to come. There was little difference between the "life satisfaction" figures of men and women, though younger people tended to be more satisfied. 52% of Israelis said they were optimistic about their future, 27% predicted that their lives would not change significantly and only 12% predicted that their lives would take a turn for the worse. According to the data, 83% of Israeli workers said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their employment. Only half, however, were pleased with their salaries. When it comes to personal health, 77% of Israeli adults defined their health as good or very good. The figure came despite the fact that 36% reported a health problem, which 70% of them said negatively affected their day-to-day functioning. The CBS also found that 94% were satisfied with their relationships with their families. Over 70% reported that they meet family members they do not live with on a weekly basis. Only 12% said they had no friends, while one-third reported feelings of loneliness on occasion or regularly. The survey also found that 70% of Israeli adults lived in their own apartment, 23% rented an apartment and 4% lived with friends or family members rent-free. Eight percent reported living in crowded living conditions, defined as more than two people per room. Two-thirds of Israel's adult population own one car, while one-third owns two cars or more. 67% have a personal computer, out of which 81% were connected to the Internet. 83% of Israeli adults have a cellular phone. The survey was conducted among 7,500 respondents who represent a sample of the general adult population in Israel.