Sociodemographic Determinants of Life Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis in the Case of Havsa (2012–2022)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics of Havsa and the determiners of level of satisfaction of the population living in Havsa and to compare the findings with those obtained in 2012. To achieve this aim, descriptive statistics for both sociodemographic characteristics and different satisfaction questions and logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the determinants of satisfaction level. The independent variables used in the analyses have been selected by based on a review of the relevant literature. As of the end of 2021, a minimum sample of 377 people should be selected according to 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level in Havsa, where a total of 18,302 people live in the city centre and villages. In this survey applied to 389 people, stratified sampling method was selected by weighting according to the populations of 22 villages and the district centre, just as it was done in 2012. As a result of these analyses, among the most significant results of the study, it has been determined that the income level of the people of Havsa district is at the level of minimum wage, the highest rate in terms of employment is among those who work as labourers, the rate of those who are satisfied with living in Havsa increases as the level of education decreases, those who do not work in any job are relatively less satisfied; however, on the other hand, married people are more satisfied with being in Havsa than single people. Compared to 10 years ago, it is determined that the income level of Havsa district people has decreased in real terms, especially in rural areas, the highest rate of employment status has shifted from farmers to labourers and the rate of those who are satisfied with living in Havsa has decreased. In line with these findings, it can be suggested to increase the level of education, to increase agricultural income and to develop policies that support rural areas in order to prevent the decrease in the population, especially the rural population.

Keywords

• Havsa
• sociodemographic characteristics
• life satisfaction
• country-city distinction
• logistic regression

Sosyodemografik Özelliklerin Yaşam Memnuniyeti Üzerindeki Belirleyiciliği: Havsa Özelinde Karşılaştırmalı Bir Analiz (2012–2022)

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Havsa’nın sosyodemografik özellikleri ile nüfusun Havsa’da yaşamaktan duyduğu memnuniyet düzeyinin belirleyicilerinin incelenmesi ve 2012 yılındaki bulgularla karşılaştırılmasıdır. Bu amaca yönelik olarak hem sosyodemografik özellikler hem de farklı memnuniyet sorularına yönelik olarak betimleyici istatistik ve memnuniyet düzeyinin belirleyicilerini tespit etmeye yönelik lojistik regresyon analizleri uygulanmıştır. Analizlerde kullanılan bağımsız değişkenler, literatürde yer alan çalışmalar incelenerek seçilmeye çalışılmıştır. 2021 yılı sonu itibariyle kent merkezi ve köylerde toplamda 18.302 kişinin yaşadığı Havsa’da %5 hata payı ve %95 güven düzeyine göre asgari 377 kişilik bir örneklem seçilmesi gerekmektedir. 389 kişiye uygulanan bu anket çalışmasında, tıpkı 2012 yılında gerçekleştirilmiş olduğu gibi, 22 köy ve ilçe merkezinin nüfuslarına göre ağırlıklandırma yapılarak tabakalı örneklem yöntemi seçilmiştir. Gerçekleştirilen bu analizler neticesinde, çalışmanın en belirgin sonuçları arasında, Havsa ilçe halkının gelir düzeyinin asgari ücret düzeyinde olduğu, çalışma durumunda en yüksek oranın işçi olarak çalışanlarda gerçekleştiği, Havsa’da yaşamaktan memnun olanların oranının eğitim düzeyi azaldıkça arttığı, herhangi bir işte çalışmayanların görece az memnuniyet duyduğu; ancak, buna karşın, evlilerin bekârlara göre Havsa’da bulunmaktan daha çok memnuniyet duydukları tespit edilmiştir. 10 yıl öncesine göre bir karşılaştırma yapıldığında ise Havsa ilçe halkının gelir düzeyinin reel olarak özellikle kırsalda azalmış, çalışma durumunda en yüksek oran çiftçiden işçiye geçmiş ve Havsa’da yaşamaktan memnun olanların oranının düşmüş olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Söz konusu bulgular ışığında, nüfusun ama özellikle kırsal nüfusun azalmasının önüne geçebilmek adına eğitim düzeyinin yükseltilmesi, tarımsal gelirde artış gerçekleşmesi ve kırsal alanları destekleyen politikalar geliştirilmesi önerilebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Havsa
• sosyodemografik özellikler
• yaşam memnuniyeti
• kır-kent ayrımı
• lojistik regresyon

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