Are women happy in Saudi Arabia?

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia are severely restricted compared to most countries. Saudi Arabia is the most restrictive country in the world on the UN's Gender Inequality Index. According to the World Bank, women in Saudi Arabia have "fewer opportunities than women anywhere else in the world" and the Global Gender Gap Report ranked the country 138 out of 144 in terms of gender equality.

One of the most significant restrictions is that women in Saudi Arabia are required to wear the abaya, a full-body garment that covers everything except the face, hands, and feet, in public. They are also required to have a male guardian who must give permission for many important decisions, such as getting a job, traveling, or getting married.

In recent years, there have been some improvements in women's rights in Saudi Arabia. In 2018, women were allowed to drive for the first time. However, many restrictions remain in place. For example, women are still not allowed to travel abroad without permission from a male guardian, and they are still underrepresented in the workforce.

According to a 2019 survey, 43% of women in Saudi Arabia said they were "very happy" or "happy" with their lives. This is a significant increase from the 25% who said they were "very happy" or "happy" in 2018.

However, it is important to note that these surveys are often subject to self-censorship. Women in Saudi Arabia may be reluctant to express negative opinions about their country or government.

Overall, it is difficult to say definitively whether women in Saudi Arabia are happy. There have been some improvements in women's rights in recent years, but many restrictions remain in place.