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THE Malaysian Wellbeing Index for 2024 rose to 120.6 points from 119.4 in 2023, reflecting continued improvements in living standards and quality of life, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the economic sub-composite remained the main driver of the overall increase, rising by 2.2 index points to 128.8. This was followed by gains in the social sub-composite, which increased by 1.1 points, while the environmental sub-composite edged up by 0.2 points compared with the previous year.
“For the economic sub-composite, the income and distribution component recorded the highest increase in 2024 at 5.9 index points, followed by transportation at 3.4 index points and communication at 0.1 index points,” he said in a statement on Friday.
“This achievement indicates a strengthening economic recovery and a more balanced distribution of income,” he added.
On the social dimension, Mohd Uzir said improvements were recorded across six components, namely social participation, which rose by 5.1 index points, governance at 4.7 points, housing at 1.7 points, entertainment and recreation at 1.7 points, culture at 0.4 points and public safety at 0.1 points.
He said the environmental sub-composite also showed positive developments, supported by improvements in air quality, which rose by 1.1 index points, and biodiversity resources, which increased by 0.2 points.
“Enhancements in environmental indicators focus on greenhouse gas emissions, access to treated piped water and the area of forest licensed for harvesting,” he said.
At the state level, Mohd Uzir noted that most states recorded improvements in their wellbeing scores. Kelantan posted the highest increase at 2.0 index points, followed by Kedah and Sarawak with gains of 1.8 points each, while Sabah recorded an increase of 1.3 points.
Sarawak recorded the most significant improvement in the economic sub-composite with a rise of 3.7 index points, Kedah posted the highest increase in the social sub-composite at 3.0 points, while Negeri Sembilan showed a notable improvement in the environmental sub-composite with a 4.7-point increase.
Mohd Uzir said the 2024 index confirmed that the wellbeing of Malaysians continues to improve, driven by economic progress, stronger social foundations and enhancements in environmental sustainability.
“The improvements made to the indicators have strengthened the Malaysian Wellbeing Index as a key reference for the government in formulating sustainable development policies that prioritise people’s wellbeing and environmental sustainability,” he said.
The Malaysian Wellbeing Index was developed to provide a comprehensive picture of the population’s wellbeing using 14 components covering economic and social wellbeing sub-composites. - December 19, 2025
