The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported that the Malaysia Happiness Index 2024 recorded a score of 7.6, placing Malaysians in the “happy” category.
The index, based on the Malaysia Happiness Survey, measured happiness across four dimensions: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual.
It comprised 94 indicators grouped into 13 components, covering state and district levels to allow more targeted assessments.
Terengganu (8.64) topped the state rankings, followed by Johor (8.08) and Negeri Sembilan (8.01), all classified as “very happy.”
A total of 36 districts scored between 8.02 and 9.83 and were classified as “very happy.” Kluang recorded the highest at 9.83, followed by Raub (9.52) and Mersing (9.50).
There was little disparity between urban (7.61) and rural (7.56) happiness levels, indicating near parity.
Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said the micro-level findings marked a major leap in Malaysia’s social statistics, enabling policymakers to design more precise interventions.
“Religion and spirituality (8.69) and family (8.64) emerged as the strongest contributors to national happiness. Culture (6.22) scored the lowest but still falls within the happy category. Demographically, females (7.62) reported higher happiness than males (7.57), while the 15 to 19 age group (7.79) ranked as the happiest cohort,” Uzir said.
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