Impact of COVID-19 on the Quality of Life of Households in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every stratum of the population and all categories of households to varying degrees. The impact of the pandemic on the quality of life (QoL) of populations is complex and can vary by region, socio-economic status, and other demographic factors. The main purpose of this study was to empirically examine the effects of pandemic trauma on the QoL of households in Saudi Arabia. Primary data from 506 households in different regions were collected through online surveys and estimated using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), statistical regression techniques, and ordered Probit analysis. It was found that the QoL of Saudi households dropped significantly due to the COVID-19 crisis. Demographically, there were significant differences in the impact of COVID-19 on QoL. Low-income households, large households, male-led households, urban households, households living in the central and western regions, households with head unemployment or low educational attainment, and households with elderly head reported greater QoL declines. The findings emphasize the significance of generating on-the-ground survey data to track the well-being of households during the crisis to accumulate the information required to construct evidence-based policy responses. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature on the impact of COVID-19 by providing additional evidence of the pandemic’s impact at the household level. The study paints a grim picture of the effects of COVID-19, as it was carried out at a time when the coronavirus was spreading, millions were dying or fighting it in healthcare centers, and lockdowns were imposed throughout the world.