Only 2 per cent of Cambodians believe their
lives are thriving – the lowest of 146 countries surveyed – according to
research by US company Gallup.
In a
well-being survey, compiled during 2011 and released by the company this week,
Cambodia languishes at the bottom, below neighbour Laos, Togo and Comoros (3
per cent).
Thailand
(46 per cent) and Vietnam (30 per cent) recorded much higher percentages of
residents who consider their lives to be thriving, while North Korea and
Myanmar did not appear on the list.
According
to the results, which shows one in four around the world think their lives are
thriving, 72 per cent of Cambodians believe they are struggling, while 26 per
cent say they are suffering.
Although
Cambodia is among the poorest nations in Asia, Cambodian Center for Human
Rights president Ou Virak said poverty alone could not explain Cambodians’ low
sense of well-being and happiness.
“Security
is one of the most important things,” he said. “People feel a lack of security
when it comes to the rule of law in Cambodia . . . [the] government and the
banking system,” he said.
With
land grabs and a “failure of the justice system”, people felt unsure about
their future, leading to a culture of greed, Ou Virak said. “When you have way
more than you need, if you end up having something taken away, then you still
have enough to keep your lifestyle.”
Council
of Ministers’ Press and Quick Reaction Unit spokesman Ek Tha, however, said the
government had “done its utmost” to rebuild Cambodia.
“This
country has started from scratch after 30 years of war,” he said. “The
government has been doing its best.
“In
1979, 100 per cent of people were under the poverty line, now it’s 27 per cent.
You can see people now have access to healthcare, education, arts, jobs. They
have vehicles, clean water, electricity.
“Our
legal and economic situation has improved . . . the government is working for
the people.”
The
Gallup poll surveyed about 1,000 people aged 15 and older per country.
About
74 per cent of Denmark’s population believe they are thriving, the highest of
any country.
Shane
Worrell
Business & Investment Opportunities
YourVietnamExpert is a division of Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd, Incorporated in Singapore since 1994. As Your Business Companion, we propose a range of services in Strategy, Investment and Management, focusing Healthcare and Life Science with expertise in ASEAN. We also propose Higher Education, as a bridge between educational structures and industries, by supporting international programmes. Many thanks for visiting www.yourvietnamexpert.com and/or contacting us at contact@yourvietnamexpert.com
No comments:
Post a Comment