How happy do you feel as a Malaysian? There are many potential answers to that question, none of which can be said to be wrong. However, there now is actual data from the World Happiness Report to show just how happy Malaysians really are.
Malaysia in 64th place
The World Happiness Report has released its data for 2025. According to its list of the happiest countries in the world, Malaysia takes 64th place, between the Latin American countries of Honduras and Peru. The list has 147 countries in total, meaning Malaysia is close to the middle of the list.
How does the World Happiness Report work?
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What determines the rankings of the World Happiness Report? According to Gallup, the analytics company behind the report, the rankings are determined by the Cantril Ladder, a system which asks participants to evaluate their current position on a 0-10 scale. Gallup has been collecting data worldwide since 2005. Their latest report is based on the responses of over 100,000 people in more than 140 countries.
Factors affecting a country’s happiness include GDP per capita, social support and freedom. In the case of Malaysia, the main issues supposedly faced by the country include the lack of economic confidence and inadequate social well-being. The report also showed that overall generosity and expected fairness in Malaysia are relatively low compared to the top-listers. The highest Malaysia has ever been ranked was 55th place in 2022.
How did our neighbours do?
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What about our neighbours? We have to be kaypoh after all, especially about our wealthy island neighbour to the south. Singapore, unsurprisingly, is the highest–ranked Southeast Asian country, coming in at 34th place. At 46th and 49th place respectively are Vietnam and Thailand. The Philippines takes the 57th spot. Indonesia is 83rd on the list.
At the top of the list
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Who’s at the top of the list? As always, Finland remains at the top of the happiness list, for the eighth year in a row. Fellow Nordics, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden, are the runner-ups, taking second, third and fourth place respectively. The only non-Nordic country in the top 5 is the Netherlands, in fifth place.
What do we think?
Whether or not you agree with Malaysia’s place on the list, there’s always room for our country to improve. Let’s towards a better Malaysia, by resolving our issues. We have the right to be satisfied with the country’s direction.
You should also check out: Alamak! Malaysia ranked the world’s third laziest country for walking, according to US study
Feature Image Credit: Canva (Left), The Sun (Right)
