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MALAYSIA’S population has been officially classified as “happy”, following the release of the Malaysian Happiness Index (MHI) 2024 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), which recorded a national score of 7.60.
In a statement issued today, DOSM said the MHI reflects a significant step in assessing the nation’s well-being, supporting Malaysia’s broader vision for inclusive and people-centred development guided by data.
The index was developed based on the Malaysian Happiness Survey, measuring citizens’ happiness across four primary dimensions: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. A total of 94 indicators were consolidated into 13 happiness components, providing what DOSM described as a “comprehensive and high-impact social statistical tool for assessing quality of life”.
For the first time, the report has been published at both state and district levels, enabling more targeted assessments of localised well-being realities.
Sixteen state-level reports were produced, with Terengganu registering the highest score at 8.64, followed by Johor (8.08) and Negeri Sembilan (8.01) — all falling within the “very happy” category. Among districts, Kluang in Johor recorded the highest score of 9.83, followed by Raub (9.52) and Mersing (9.50).
The index also showed a relatively balanced level of happiness between urban (7.61) and rural (7.56) populations.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the introduction of a micro-level MHI marks a leap forward in Malaysia’s social statistics ecosystem, offering policymakers deeper insights into the lived experiences of citizens and enabling more precise policy interventions.
“The findings indicate that Religious and Spiritual components (8.69), along with Family (8.64), are the main contributors to national happiness. Cultural engagement, though recording the lowest score at 6.22, still falls within the ‘happy’ range,” he said.
From a demographic perspective, women (7.62) reported slightly higher happiness scores than men (7.57), while the happiest age group was identified as those aged 15–19 years (7.79).
The MHI 2024 provides an empirical foundation for strengthening policy design and underscores the importance of non-material factors — such as spirituality, family bonds, and social well-being — in shaping national progress. - September 12, 2025
