Malaysia Falls to 64th in Global Happiness Rankings — What Went Wrong?

Malaysia has dropped to 64th place in the World Happiness Report 2025, marking a notable five-spot decline from its previous position at 59th. The report, jointly prepared by Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, assessed data collected from 1,000 respondents across 147 countries between 2022 and 2024.

What’s Behind the Drop?

The report attributes the overall happiness ranking to several key factors such as social support, income, freedom, health, and perceptions of corruption. While Malaysia remains among the top-performing ASEAN countries, ranking 4th in the region, the slip in position has sparked discussions on what may have influenced the decline.

Interestingly, Malaysia still holds a unique achievement — it is recognized as one of the top four countries worldwide where citizens most frequently share meals, averaging 11 shared meals a week. This cultural aspect highlights the nation’s strong social connections despite the drop in overall happiness.

How Does Malaysia Compare to Other ASEAN Countries?

Singapore continues to lead the ASEAN region, ranking 34th globally. Other regional countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, trailed further down the list.

Nordic Dominance Continues

The Nordic nations continue to dominate the top ranks, with Finland securing the top position for the eighth consecutive year. Other high-performing nations include Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Costa Rica and Mexico emerged as notable mentions outside the European region.

United States Faces Decline, Struggles Continue for Certain NationsThe report also highlights the declining rank of the United States, reflecting growing social and economic concerns. At the bottom of the list are Lebanon, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan, where ongoing turmoil and instability continue to impact well-being.

Source : Sinar Harian