(ECNS) -- Consumers on the Chinese mainland remain optimistic about their overall sense of happiness, with women's sense of satisfaction growing more than their male counterparts, according to results of MasterCard's latest Well Being Index.
MasterCard surveyed people across the Asia-Pacific region about their economic, social and financial outlook, covering four key components: Work and finances, safety from threats, personal life and work satisfaction, and personal sense of happiness.
In the second half of 2016, the Chinese mainland scored 68.2 to rank fifth among 18 economies in the Asia-Pacific, up 0.1 percentage point over the previous survey and higher than the regional average of 62.1.
From 2013 to 2016, women's sense of happiness grew by 6.2 percent over three years ago, much higher than the 2.8 growth rate of their male counterparts.
The mainland's score of 75.3 in work and finance enabled it to rank fourth.
China's drive to develop a digital and innovation-based economy has created more job opportunities, according to the survey.
The majority of mainland consumers are satisfied with their lives and believe their situations will be better in five years, indicating an optimism about economic prospects.
Among the four components, mainland respondents expressed downbeat sentiments toward personal happiness, related to stress over family, work, finances and health.
Insiders said the result shows that Chinese consumers are confident about governmental reforms as China adapts to the "new normal" of slower speed but higher quality.
