Malaysia ranks 64th in the 2025 World Happiness Report, lower than several ASEAN countries. Key factors influencing rankings include GDP per capita, social support, and freedom. Finland ranks first globally, but Malaysia faces challenges in economic confidence and social well-being. The report also highlights trust levels affecting political inclinations, indicating a need for improvement in social cohesion and institutional trust.
The 2025 World Happiness Report ranks Malaysia 64th, positioning it in a middle range relative to its Southeast Asian counterparts. Notably, Malaysia’s ranking falls behind Singapore at 34th, Vietnam at 46th, Thailand at 49th, and the Philippines at 57th, while it surpasses Indonesia, which ranks 83rd.
The report evaluates happiness based on crucial factors including GDP per capita, social support, and freedom. These factors significantly influence the happiness rankings and, potentially, the socio-economic trajectory of a nation. Finland continues to hold the top global position, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Malaysia’s declining rank indicates ongoing difficulties regarding economic confidence and social well-being. The report highlights that the level of benevolence within a country impacts its political climate. It notes, “Populism is largely due to unhappiness,” pointing out that trust influences political leanings of citizens, with those who trust others tending toward left-wing ideologies and those lacking trust leaning right.
Furthermore, the report identifies lower scores for indicators of generosity and expected fairness in Malaysia compared to leading nations. While Malaysia has experienced gains in income and life expectancy, there remains a pressing need to enhance social cohesion and institutional trust.
In conclusion, Malaysia’s 64th ranking in the 2025 World Happiness Report underscores the need for improvements in social cohesion and institutional trust despite gains in income and life expectancy. The report’s analysis suggests that economic confidence and benevolence are critical factors influencing happiness and political tendencies, further emphasizing the need for development in these areas to enhance overall happiness levels in the country.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
