KUWAITI PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY REPORT Prepared by Kuwait Economic Society Kuwait April 2006
Preface The challenge has never been greater for Kuwait s policy makers. During the last three years, the government s budget has recorded unprecedented surpluses due to high crude oil prices; with practically no strategic decisions on what to do with these surpluses. Various debates and discussions have been undertaken with propositions ranging from saving all of the surpluses for future generations to distributing them among citizens. From another perspective, the socio-political and economic reform agenda presented by government continues to attract increasing debates and dialogues among various institutional stakeholders with limited information on the perception of Kuwaitis regarding these issues. Recognizing the need to inform decision-makers and leaders about the public's view to government policies and performance, the Kuwait Economic Society has undertaken a comprehensive public opinion survey to measure citizens perceptions about Kuwait s: Direction, Performance & Trust Awareness of & Support for Reforms Societal & Economic Trends Information Sources & Media This publication aims at enhancing the debate with scientifically sound information, contributing to the real discourse about the nation s problems, and finding creative, multi-faceted, sustainable solutions to them. Finally, let me express my gratitude to the assistance of Mr. Maher Aziziah and his team for undertaking the public opinion survey and data analysis, and the technical assistance and support of the International Republican Institute (IRI) for making this study possible. Dr. Rola Dashti Chairman Kuwait Economic Society
Type of study Quantitative public opinion poll Sample size 1,200 interviews 600 males 600 females Respondents' profile Kuwaitis aged 21+ Sampling method Random sample Method of data collection Telephone interviews METHODOLOGY Date of fieldwork Interviews were conducted December 13, 2005 January 14, 2006 Sampling error The margin of error is +/- 2.8%
Main Results: Kuwaitis are most concerned about the high cost of living and expenses (64%). 40-45% of respondents think Kuwait is headed in the right direction, while nearly one-third (30-35%) think it s going in the wrong direction. An overwhelming majority of Kuwaitis (79%) believe that corruption is widespread in Kuwait. However, they largely believe (74%) that judiciary is fair in Kuwait. More than half of Kuwaitis (55%) said that the (then) administration's performance is excellent/good, whereas only 40% of Kuwaitis think the MPs' performance is excellent/good. Kuwaitis are almost equally split as to what should be done about electoral districts in Kuwait, however, a combined total majority of 48% wants change to the current system. 65% of Kuwaitis plan to vote in the 2007 parliamentary election. Half of Kuwaitis support and believe in women's ability to make good voting decisions and will vote for women, as well as encourage women to vote. Kuwaitis have a high degree of trust in the (then) government (76%) and think that Kuwait does not need political parties (60%). Kuwaitis strongly believe that it's time for women to have political rights and women will actively participate in the 2007 parliamentary elections (64%). Kuwaitis get political information mainly through newspapers (72%), TV (59%) and word of mouth (35%).
KEY FINDINGS
KEY FINDINGS Notes: Please note that the survey was conducted by phone from Dec 13, 2005 Jan 14, 2006; please also consider the following: - Due to the death of the Emir during this time and subsequent need to appoint a new government, it is the previous government referred to in this survey. - According to the newly amended election law, all women are now registered voters, unlike at the time of the survey. Kuwait s Priority Issues Kuwaitis are by far most concerned about the cost of living and their expenses (64%), distantly followed by unemployment (18%) and education (13%). Other issues which received almost equal attention are: 64% 18% 13% 10% 10% 8% 8% 7% High cost of living Unemp loyment Education Politics Social services Corruption Social issues Traffic Current Situation in Kuwait Kuwait is heading in: Kuwait is: Neutral 24% Don't know 4% Right direction 41% Compared to 5 years ago, the situation in Neutral 17% Don't know 2% Better 44% Wrong direction 31% Five years from now, the situation in Kuwait will be: Neutral 9% Don't know 14% Better 49% Worse 37% Worse 28%
Development was cited as the main reason for being optimistic about Kuwait s future. Cost of living/expenses are the main reason for pessimism. 83% of those surveyed believe that Kuwait's economy is flourishing and 34% of these believe that Kuwaitis are benefiting from this economic prosperity. Corruption in Kuwait An overwhelming majority of respondents (79%) believe that corruption is widespread in Kuwait, and the entities responsible are: 40% 33% 17% 13% 12% Kuwaitis Public officials Government Parliament/ some MPs Ignorance /no enforcement 30% of respondents felt that no one is combating corruption in Kuwait, while 25% said the government and 24% said Kuwaiti people are combating corruption in Kuwait. Most respondents (74%) believe that the judiciary is fair in Kuwait. Those who don t blamed: - Wasta (51%) - Greed (20%) - Government (16%) - Big/rich families (10%) Evaluation of (then) Administration s Performance Government's/ministers performance is: MPs' performance is: Very bad 2% Bad 7% Don't know 11% Excellent 24% Very bad 8% Don't know 10% Excellent 16% Neutral 25% Good 31% Bad 16% Neutral 26% Good 24%
Electoral Districts in Kuwait 63% of those surveyed have heard about a proposal to alter the electoral districts in Kuwait. Respondents are almost equally divided as to what should be done: - Retain the current number (29%) - Decrease the current number (26%) - Increase the current number (22%) - Don't know/no answer (23%) Don't Know 23% No Change 29% Voting in General 56% of respondents were aware that voter registration would be held in February. Decrease 26% Increase 22% During the time of the fieldwork, none of the female respondents were registered to vote. Of the male respondents 66% voted in the last parliamentary election. Voter registration awareness Registered voter Plan to register Yes 56% No 44% Voted in last election Plan to vote in 2007 election Yes Male 36% Yes 19% Yes Male 33% Yes 65% No Male 14% No 70% No Male 17% No 21% No Female 50% DK/Not decided 11% No Female 50% Maybe 10% Voting & Women Women can make good voting decision: to vote: Maybe 17% Don't know 3% Will encourage women in the family Maybe 6% Don't know 1% Agree 50% No 42% Yes 51% Disagree 30% Women can make good decisions when voting Will encourage women to vote Will support/vote for women candidates Agree 50% Yes 50% Yes 45% Disagree 30% No 42% No 39% Maybe 17% Maybe 6% Maybe 11%
Politics in Kuwait The following represents average scores from those surveyed about politics in Kuwait. Average The Kuwaiti Government is trustworthy 83.0 Kuwaiti women will participate strongly in 2007 elections/voting 72.1 The government has a clear vision for the future 65.4 Having more Islamist MPs is good for the future of Kuwait 61.2 The tribal/internal elections should be stopped 57.1 Most of the current MPs are controlled by the government 55.1 Having women MPs is good for the future of Kuwait 55.1 The majority of the current MPs work for the sake of Kuwait 51.6 There should be more women ministers 47.7 It is still early for women to vote 34.9 Kuwait needs to have political parties 27.3 High Medium 29% of all respondents have a political movement that they would consider voting for. These (347) respondents would mainly vote for: - Islamic movement / Islamists (29%) - Dastoria movement (10%) Media Respondents are getting political information from: - Newspaper (72%) - TV (59%) - Word of mouth (Diwaniya/friends/family) (35%) Kuw 1 (40%) is the TV channel watched most for political information, distantly followed by Arabiya (18%), Jazeera (17%) and Al Rai (14%). Al Watan (53%) is read most, followed by Rai Al A'am (24%) and Qabas (18%). Kuw1 (49%) is the radio station most listened to, followed by BBC (32%). Most Kuwaitis believe that the media: Average Is credible 68.5 Addresses the concerns of Kuwaiti citizens 62.0 Is neutral/not controlled by any entity 58.1 Low
DETAILED FINDINGS
DETAILED FINDINGS 1. What are the local key issues/concerns/problems that should be addressed in the near future? Cost of Living/Expenses Social security system 1% High cost of living 26% Administration Kuwaitis loans/debts 22% Traffic problems 7% Housing 16% Political Unemployment Youth unemployment 18% Bedoun Women s rights 5% 2% Education Education system 13% Government/Government weakness Parliament/Parliament s weakness 1% 1% Corruption Corruption 7% Northern oil fields project Other 1% Wasta 1% High number of expatriates 1% Social issues Drugs 7% Salaries Athletic problems 1% 1% Social problems/ marriage/ divorce/ 1% Economic problems 1% polygamy Social services Health care services 7% Security 2% Nothing/no important issues 7% Don t know/no answer 5% 2. Generally speaking, do you think that things in Kuwait are going in the right or wrong direction? Right direction 41% Wrong direction 31% No difference 24% Don t know/na 4% 3. Compared to 5 years ago, do you believe that things in Kuwait are getting? Better 44% Worse 37% No difference 17% Don t know/na 2% 4. Do you think things will be better or worse in Kuwait in five years? Better 49% Worse 28% No difference 9% Don t know/na 14%
5. Why do you think that things will be better? (Answered by 585 respondents who answered affirmatively in Q4) Development Development/country is 33% developing Economic development/projects/opening Hope Wish that things will be right/"inshallah" Government Efforts Government is putting effort to correct things/solve problems 13% 16% 6% Reforms and new law/developing the constitution 2% Government work for the sake of Kuwaiti people/their welfare 2% Corrective Actions Correct things/solve problems 5% Oil Income High prices of petrol 4% Better Education System Better Education 3% Youth are more aware/educated 2% Political Strength Things are stable/peace in region 2% Good leaders/achievements 1% Giving women rights/women will 1% join the parliament Other Increasing salaries 2% Don't know/no answer 11% 6. Why do you believe that things will be worse? (Answered by 332 respondents who answered negatively in Q4) Cost of Living High cost of living 28% our traditions Government/Institutions Loans/debt of Kuwaiti people 8% Law/constitution is not applied/ High prices of real estate 1% followed 3% Development Bad Parliament/no decisions/mps 3% If things stay as is 8% work for their own interests Corruption Bad leaders/government 3% Corruption 8% Government is controlling 2% everything Current Situation Traffic problems 1% Things are getting worse 7% Education System Economy Bad education 2% Economic problem 5% People use technology in a bad way 2% Employment Unemployment 5% Social Behavior Don't know/no answer 21% Bad manners/people don't follow 5%
7. What is your current level of job satisfaction? Satisfied 77% Neutral 14% Unsatisfied 8% Don't Know/No Answer 1% 8. Do you believe that corruption is prevailing in Kuwait? Yes 79% Neutral 7% No 10% Don't Know/No Answer 4% 9. If yes or neutral, who is responsible for or encourages corruption? (Answered by 1035 respondents who said yes or neutral in Q8) Kuwaitis 40% Public Officials 33% Government 17% Ignorance/no enforcement 12% Parliament 8% Some MPs 5% Public Sector 1% Private Sector 1% All/no one specific 1% No one 1% Don't Know/No Answer 11% 10. Who is combating corruption in Kuwait? (Answered by 1035 respondents who said yes or neutral in Q8) Government 25% Kuwaitis 24% Religious preachers 6% Press 5% Parliament 4% Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad 3% Some MPS 3% Audit Bureau 1% Public Sector 1% No one 30% Don't Know/No Answer 12%
11. Do you believe the judiciary is fair in Kuwait? Yes 74% No 12% Don't Know/no answer 15% 12. If no, who/what is influencing the judiciary in Kuwait? (Answered by 138 respondents who said no Q11) Wasta 51% Greed 20% Government 16% Big/Rich Families 10% Kuwaitis 7% Some MPs 5% Parliament 4% Public Sector 1% Private Sector 1% All/no one specific 1% Don't Know/No Answer 14% 13. What is your overall evaluation of the current government/ministers performance? (refers to previous government) Excellent 24% Good 31% Neutral 25% Bad 7% Very bad 2% Don't Know/No Answer 11% Average 68.6 14. What is your overall evaluation of the current MPs performance? Excellent 16% Good 24% Neutral 27% Bad 16% Very bad 8% Don't Know/No Answer 10% Average 56.5 15A. Have you heard about a proposal to change the electoral districts in Kuwait? Total Male Female Yes 63% 77% 48% No 37% 33% 52%
The three options under discussion for the electoral districts are: - Retain the current system of 25 districts - Reduce the number of districts to 10, 5 or less. - Increase the number of districts to 30, 40 or more. 15. In general, which one would you prefer? Total Male Female Retain the current number 29% 27% 31% Decrease the current number 26% 38% 15% Increase the current number 22% 22% 23% Don't Know/No Answer 23% 14% 31% 16. Do you know that voter registration will take place in February? Total Male Female Yes 56% 69% 44% No 44% 31% 56% 17. Are you registered to vote? Yes 36% No 14% No Women 50% 18. If no, will you register to vote? (Answered by 765 respondents who said no in Q17) Yes 19% No 70% Don't know/haven't decided yet 11% 19. Did you vote in the last parliamentary elections? Yes 33% No 17% No Women 50% 20. If no, why not? (Answered by 802 respondents who said no in Q19) Women 75% Not Interested 7% Under 21 years of age 6% Soldier (ineligible) 4% Outside Kuwait/Illness 2% Don't Know/No Answer 5%
21. Do you plan to vote in the 2007 parliamentary elections? Total Male Female Yes 65% 75% 55% No 21% 12% 30% Maybe 10% 7% 12% Soldier (ineligible) 3% 6% Don't Know/No Answer 2% 1% 3% 22. When speaking of Kuwaiti women s rights, do you agree that Kuwaiti women are able to make the right decision when it comes to voting? Agree 50% Disagree 30% Maybe 17% Don't Know/No Answer 3% 23. Will you encourage women in your family to register and vote? Yes 50% No 42% Maybe 6% Don't Know/No Answer 1% 24. Would you advocating/vote for women candidates? Yes 45% No 39% Maybe 11% Soldier(ineligible) 3% Don't Know/No Answer 2%
25. What is your level of agreement with the following statements? (Scale 0 100; where 0 = Strongly disagree & 100 = Strongly agree) Total Sample Average Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree DK/NA Average Male Female The Kuwaiti Government is trustworthy 7% 1% 11% 11% 65% 6% 83.0 79.8 86.2 Kuwaiti women will participate strongly in 2007 elections/voting 12% 7% 12% 13% 51% 5% 72.1 70.3 73.9 The government has a clear vision for the future 18% 5% 13% 14% 42% 7% 65.4 58.4 72.6 Having more Islamist MPs is good for the future of Kuwait 20% 6% 18% 12% 38% 7% 61.2 56.8 65.7 The tribal/internal election should be stopped 28% 7% 7% 6% 40% 12% 57.1 62.2 51.4 Most of the current MPs are controlled by the government 19% 8% 21% 10% 26% 17% 55.1 60.4 49.2 Having women MPs is good for the future of Kuwait 27% 7% 14% 15% 33% 4% 55.1 54.5 55.6 The majority of current MPs work for the sake of Kuwait 25% 8% 25% 14% 25% 5% 51.6 45.4 58.1 There should be more women ministers 31% 10% 17% 14% 24% 4% 47.7 47.3 48.2 It is still early for women to participate in the election (means: voting) 48% 9% 13% 7% 20% 4% 34.9 34.5 35.3 Kuwait needs to have political parties 55% 5% 6% 6% 15% 13% 27.3 32.4 21.7
26. If parliamentary elections were held today, is there a political movement in Kuwait that you would consider voting for? Yes 29% No 64% Don't Know/No Answer 7% 27. If yes, for which political movement would you vote? (Answered by 347 respondents who said yes in Q26) Islamic movement/islamists 29% Dastoria movement 10% Hizb Al Ommah 6% Liberals 1% Democratic 1% Don't Know/No Answer 52% 28. From where do you get most of your information, related to politics in Kuwait? Newspaper 72% TV 59% Diwaniya/Friends 24% Family 11% Radio 8% Internet 1% None 3% 29.1. Which TV station is your best source of political information in Kuwait? (Only one answer) (Answered by 712 respondents who selected TV in Q29.) Kuw1 40% Arabiya 18% Jazeera 17% Al Rai 14% MBC 3% BBC 2% Kuw4 1% Dubai 1% CNN 1% Hurra 1% 29.2. Which radio station is your best source of political information in Kuwait? (Only one answer) (Answered by 97 respondents who selected radio in Q29) Kuw1 49% BBC 32% Holy Quran 10% SWA 6% Kuw2 2%
29.3. Which newspaper is your best source of political information in Kuwait? (Only one answer) (Answered by 860 respondents who selected newspaper in Q29) Watan 53% Rai Alam 24% Qabas 18% Anbaa 3% Siyasa 1% 30. When speaking of Kuwaiti media (Newspapers, TV & radio stations), do you agree that: Strongly disagree Disagree So-so Agree Strongly agree DK/NA Average It is credible 9% 6% 23% 21% 37% 4% 68.5 It addresses the concerns of 15% 7% 22% 21% 31% 4% 62.0 Kuwaitis It is neutral/not controlled by any entity 18% 8% 20% 23% 25% 7% 58.1 31. Do you believe that Kuwait s economy is flourishing? Yes 83% No 14% Don't Know/No Answer 4% 32. If yes, do you believe that all Kuwaitis benefit equally from this economic prosperity? (Answered by 991 respondents who said yes in Q31) Yes 34% No 61% Don't Know/No Answer 5% 33. How do you see your (family s) economic situation in 5 years? Better 48% Worse 12% Will be no different 23% Don't Know/No Answer 17%
34. Why do you think that it will be better? (Answered by 578 respondents who said better in Q33) Hope Wish that things will be right/inshallah/no specific reason 23% Income Increasing salaries/pensions 19% Our sons will have a job 4% Will work/working now/family members work 3% Economy Development/country is developing 8% Economic development/projects/economic opening 7% Economic flourishing 3% High prices of petrol 1% Stocks & subscriptions 1% There are more job vacancies 1% Private Sector Doing private business 6% Government Government help/care about Kuwaitis/work for their welfare 3% Government is working for our sake 1% Debt After the settlement of our loans 3% Women s Rights Women s rights/participation in voting 1% Don't know/no answer 19% 35. Why do you think that it will be worse? (Answered by 578 respondents who said worse in Q33) High cost of living 58% Loans/debts 19% Stagnant income 14% Unemployment 3% Don't Know/No Answer 18%
Socio-demographics Age Monthly Type of Level of income residence education 21-30 32.5% < KD500 5.8% Villa 39.2% Univ. Grad 29.8% 31-40 30.9% KD501-900 35.4% Gov housing 47.8% High School 26.6% 41-50 22.8% KD901-1300 29.2% Apartment 13.0% Intermediate 19.2% 41-60 9.5% > KD1300 29.7% Governorate College Grad 17.9% > 60 4.3% Work status Capital 23.0% Below Martial Status Employed 50.7% Ahmadi 19.0% Intermediate 4.1% Married 76.5% Unemployed 24.5% Farwaniya 19.0% Single 18.9% Retired 16.9% Hawalli 18.0% Widow 2.8% Student 7.9% Mubarek Al Kabir 11.0% Divorced 1.8% Jahra 10.0% Sectors respondents are working in Public sector 42.0% Private sector 7.0% Owns a business 2.0% Not working (retired/unemployed/student) 49.0% Above University Grad 2.5%