A lecture on the methodology of the Global Expatriate Opinion Survey, and discussing the results of Kuwait as an example ‏ Expat Insider Survey Methodology, Results and Rank of Kuwait – Dr. Samir Abu Rumman

Out of 7 years in which the Expat Insider survey was conducted to determine the preferred destination for expatriates, Kuwait ranked last, and was ranked penultimate once, primarily due to low scores in the sub-indices covered by the survey.

This lecture, held as part of the 47th Annual Conference of the World Organization for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), discusses the survey methodology, its sample, and its most prominent positives and negatives.

Within the activities of the 47th annual conference of the World Organization for Public Opinion Research (WAPOR), the center’s general supervisor, Dr. Samir Abu Rumman gave a lecture entitled “Expat Insider Survey Methodology, Results and Rank of Kuwait,” which is based on special research, expected to be published in the near future, about the annual Expat Insider survey, which has been conducted since 2014 by the German InterNations platform, which currently represents the largest An online expat community with 4.1 million members from around the world, this survey ranks the world’s countries as destinations for expats and provides: In-depth information on expats’ satisfaction with life abroad in general and their satisfaction with life specifically in their country of residence, based on five key indicators: Quality of life, ease of settling, working abroad, family life in the country of residence, personal finance and costs of living.

The results of the survey, in its various versions between 2014-2021, were well received in some countries that ranked highly, and were used as advertising materials to promote tourism, but at the same time, they sparked great reactions and a great deal of discussion and objection, especially in countries with low ranks. There has been a great deal of controversy over the credibility of the survey results, its methodology, and the main and sub-indicators that were relied upon to evaluate countries around the world as destinations for expatriates.

Hence this study, on which the presentation is based, comes to evaluate the Expat Insider poll and study it on a large scale, based on an impartial scientific methodology, which explores the poll with its positives and negatives, far from prior impressions and decisions.

Study topics:

1. Expat Insider survey methodology.
2. The main and sub-indicators of the survey.
3. An overview of the survey questions in its latest version 2021.
4. An overview of the results of the survey in its various versions 2014-2021
5. Results of the State of Kuwait – study and analysis

Most important recommendations:

1. There are some findings that stakeholders can benefit from to improve Kuwait’s image in the survey, such as ease of language learning, job security, and personal finance.
2. Promoting inclusion, social interaction and community engagement with expatriate workers in Kuwait, including through changes in policies and practices.
3. Improving the mental image of expatriates in various Kuwaiti media.
4. Adopting policies, regulations and operational procedures that support social inclusion, including access to services, social security, schools and health facilities.
5. Treat expatriates as part of Kuwaiti society, and eliminate any discrimination in all transactions.
6. Avoid derogatory terms in reference to expatriates and in legal texts and other official documents.
7. Conduct awareness activities with the general public for the social integration of expatriates.
8. Preserving the human and labor rights of expatriates by issuing legislation specifying the number of working hours and other rights.
9. Implement tracking studies to continually identify improvements in expatriates’ general attitudes toward Kuwait.

To watch the lecture here