MALAYSIANS are generally happier than they were three years ago, but the mood in the capital and Labuan appears to have darkened.
According to the Malaysia Happiness Index conducted by the Department of Statistics in 2021 and 2024, the nation’s overall score climbed from 6.48 to 7.6, placing Malaysia firmly in the “happy” category. Yet, Kuala Lumpur and Labuan were the only territories that saw declines in happiness levels.
Kuala Lumpur’s score dropped by 0.55 points, from 7.77 in 2021 to 7.22 last year, while Labuan experienced a more pronounced fall from 9.29 to 7. Both territories now sit at the lower end of the “happy” scale.
By contrast, Terengganu topped the national rankings for happiness, followed by Johor and Negri Sembilan. Melaka recorded the biggest improvement, leaping from 5.85 to 7.83, with significant gains in social participation, culture and work-life satisfaction.
Demographer Chai Sen Tyng of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing said Kuala Lumpur’s decline mirrors trends seen in many global cities.
“Happiness levels in megacities often drop due to a combination of stressors related to the physical and social urban environment. Such can offset the benefits of economic opportunities and amenities,” The Star reported him saying on Saturday.
In Kuala Lumpur, residents reported feeling less happy across all 13 components of the index, particularly in income, culture and family relationships — the three areas that saw the steepest deterioration.
Chai added that the cost of living was a key factor. “Happiness to the rakyat is about meeting basic needs and being hopeful for the future,” he said. “As Malaysia improves its amenities, housing, transport and jobs, people can be happy when they can thrive and not be crushed under the grind of daily survival.”
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said Kuala Lumpur’s vibrancy was also its challenge.
“Salaries remain mostly stagnant, while the cost of living is up. Traffic congestion and long daily commutes take a toll on mental health,” The Star quoted him saying.
Lee added that the shrinking number of green spaces and growing social isolation in the capital contributed to urban stress. “People go to work and then they go home, feeling tired. The cycle then repeats,” he said.
By contrast, Lee said Terengganu’s slower-paced lifestyle likely contributed to its residents’ high happiness levels. “They may not be as urbanised as Kuala Lumpur, but they can work at their own pace and have more time with family and friends,” he said.
The Malaysia Happiness Index assesses 13 components, including family, income, culture, housing and environment, health, education, working life, and spirituality.
Labuan’s happiness decline was most evident in communication facilities, housing and income.
Across Malaysia, respondents were happiest in areas relating to religion and spiritual life, followed by family relationships and time spent on rest and leisure.
To sustain happiness levels, Chai said the government must continue addressing bread-and-butter issues. “People want the same things in life — stability, comfort and hope,” he said.
Lee urged policymakers and employers to strengthen income opportunities, reduce living costs and promote work-life balance. “Happiness is not measured by skyscrapers and malls, but by how safe, valued and fulfilled people feel in their lives,” he said. - November 8, 2025
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