Malaysia: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Malaysia 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Malaysia: 59
  • Happiness Score Malaysia:5.975

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Malaysia. MY.

    Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country known for its diverse culture, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous influences.

  • Malaysia has a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
  • The country is famous for its vibrant festivals, such as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year.
  • Malaysia is a major exporter of electronic products, palm oil, and natural gas.
  • Malaysia – A Comprehensive Overview

    Brief History

    Early History: The Malay Peninsula has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of ancient trading kingdoms dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The Malay kingdoms of Langkasuka and Kedah emerged as early Hindu-Buddhist civilizations.

    Kingdoms and Empires: The Malacca Sultanate, founded in the 15th century, became a major maritime power and center of trade. It was later conquered by the Portuguese in 1511, followed by the Dutch and British.

    Colonial Period: The British gradually established control over the Malay states, forming the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. The country experienced significant economic growth during the British colonial period.

    Independence and Modern Era: Malaysia gained independence from British rule in 1957, initially as the Federation of Malaya. In 1963, it merged with Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak to form the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore later separated in 1965. Malaysia experienced racial riots in 1969, followed by the implementation of the New Economic Policy to promote economic equality.

    Current Political Situation: Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy, with a parliamentary democracy system. The current Prime Minister is Anwar Ibrahim, who took office in November 2022 after a political crisis.

    International Relations: Malaysia maintains good relationships with regional and global powers, and is a member of ASEAN, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.

    Human Development and Economy: Malaysia is an upper-middle-income country with a diverse economy focused on electronics, petroleum, and agriculture. It has made significant progress in human development, with a high Human Development Index ranking.

    Cultural Highlights: Malaysia is a multicultural society with a rich blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures. Islam is the official religion, but other religions are practiced. Malaysian cuisine is a fusion of various influences and is renowned worldwide.

    Challenges and Opportunities: Key challenges include addressing income inequality, promoting sustainable development, and managing racial and religious tensions. Opportunities lie in further diversifying the economy, advancing technological innovations, and strengthening regional and global partnerships.

    Travel Tips for Malaysia

    Best Time to Visit: The dry season between March and October offers the most favorable weather for travel.

    Cultural Etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering religious sites or homes, and use your right hand for eating and passing objects.

    Safety Precautions: Malaysia is generally safe, but exercise caution in crowded areas and be aware of petty crime.

    Must-See Landmarks: Visit the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, explore the vibrant Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, and discover the street art scene in Penang.

    Culinary Experiences: Indulge in the diverse flavors of Malaysian cuisine, including Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Laksa (noodle soup), and Satay (grilled meat skewers).

    Living in Malaysia

    Cost of Living: The cost of living in Malaysia is relatively affordable, especially in smaller cities, with reasonable housing, food, and transportation costs.

    Housing: Expats can choose from a variety of housing options, including apartments, condominiums, and landed properties, with varying prices based on location and amenities.

    Healthcare: Malaysia has a dual healthcare system with both public and private facilities offering quality medical services at affordable costs.

    Education: The education system comprises public and private schools, with a range of international schools available in major cities.

    Lifestyle: Malaysia offers a comfortable and diverse lifestyle, with access to modern amenities, vibrant cultural experiences, and outdoor activities.

Main facts

1. Location

Malaysia is a country situated in Southeast Asia, occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It is located in the heart of the maritime Strait of Malacca, which serves as a strategic shipping lane in the region. Malaysia shares borders with Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia, and is separated from the Philippines and Vietnam by bodies of water.

2. Map References

Malaysia is located in the Southeast Asian region and is part of the Malay Archipelago.

3. Area – Comparative

Malaysia has a total area of 330,803 square kilometers (127,724 square miles), making it slightly larger than the state of New Mexico in the United States.

4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Malaysia has a total land boundary length of 2,669 kilometers (1,657 miles), sharing borders with the following countries:

5. Coastline

With its strategic location along the Strait of Malacca, Malaysia has a coastline of 4,675 kilometers (2,905 miles), featuring diverse coastal landscapes, including beaches, mangrove forests, and coral reefs.

6. Maritime Claims

Malaysia claims the following maritime zones:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
  • Continental shelf: 200 meters depth or to the depth of exploitation

7. Climate

Malaysia has a tropical climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The country experiences a monsoon season, with the northeast monsoon bringing heavy rainfall to the east coast from November to March, and the southwest monsoon affecting the west coast from May to September.

8. Terrain

Malaysia’s terrain is diverse, ranging from coastal plains to interior mountain ranges. The Malay Peninsula features numerous rivers, hills, and mountains, while the Borneo region is dominated by dense rainforests, swampy lowlands, and the rugged interiors of the Crocker Range and Titiwangsaeven.

9. Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Malaysia is Mount Kinabalu, located in Sabah on the island of Borneo, with an elevation of 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) above sea level. The lowest point is the Indian Ocean, at 0 meters (0 feet).

10. Natural Resources

Malaysia’s major natural resources include:

  • Tin
  • Petroleum
  • Timber
  • Copper
  • Iron ore
  • Natural gas
  • Bauxite

11. Major Bodies of Water

Notable bodies of water in Malaysia include:

12. Natural Hazards

Malaysia is prone to several natural hazards, including:

  • Floods (particularly during the monsoon season)
  • Landslides
  • Forest fires
  • Tropical cyclones and typhoons
  • Earthquakes (primarily in Sabah and Sarawak)

13. Geography – Notes

Malaysia’s geography is characterized by its strategic location along the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The country’s diverse landscapes, ranging from coastal areas to dense rainforests, contribute to its rich biodiversity. However, Malaysia also faces environmental challenges, such as deforestation, pollution, and the impact of climate change on its coastal regions.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 67.60%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 248,289. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 26.30%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  4.210484101.975766.
  • Capital: The capital of Malaysia is  Kuala Lumpur
  • Major Cities:
    • Kuala Lumpur – Population: 1.73 million
    • George Town – Population: 708,000
    • Ipoh – Population: 657,800
    • Shah Alam – Population: 654,525
    • Petaling Jaya – Population: 613,977
  • Population: 32,447,385
  • Area(Km2): 329847
  • Population Density( P/Km²):99. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:60
  • Official Language(s):Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia, 80%.
  • Currency: MYR

Main Economic Indicators

Malaysia is a vibrant, upper-middle-income economy in Southeast Asia. Its economy has diversified over the years, transitioning from agriculture and commodity-based sectors to a more industry- and services-driven economy. Major economic challenges include reducing dependence on exports, addressing income inequality, and transitioning to a high-income nation. Notable policies focus on improving human capital, enhancing productivity, and promoting sustainable development.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

2022: 3.4% (Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia)
2021: 2.5% (Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: BBB+ (Stable)
Moody’s: A3 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: A- (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 7.4%
Industry: 36.8%
Services: 55.8%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural Products: Palm oil, rubber, rice, tropical fruits, cocoa, timber
Industrial Products: Semiconductors, electronics, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, construction materials

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 16.6 million (2022 estimate)
Comparative Ranking: 33rd largest labor force globally

Current Account Balance

2022: $25.9 billion (3.6% of GDP)
2021: $24.7 billion (3.8% of GDP)
Comparative Ranking: 20th largest current account surplus globally (2022)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $368.9 billion (2022 estimate)
Key Export Partners: Singapore, China, United States, Japan, Thailand
Main Exports: Electrical and electronic products, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, chemicals, machinery, optical and scientific equipment
Imports: $282.2 billion (2022 estimate)
Key Import Partners: China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, United States
Main Imports: Electrical and electronic products, machinery, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific equipment

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $116.4 billion (as of April 2023)
Gold Reserves: 38.9 metric tons (as of January 2023)

  • GDP (Current US$):$364,701,517,788. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 12.00%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 38.70%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.45. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $0.93. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 3.32%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

National Identity

Noun: Malaysian(s)

Adjective: Malaysian

Ethnic Groups

  • Bumiputera (Malay) – 61.7%
  • Chinese – 20.8%
  • Indian – 6.2%
  • Other ethnic groups – 11.3%

Religions

  • Islam – 61.3%
  • Buddhism – 19.8%
  • Christianity – 9.2%
  • Hinduism – 6.3%
  • Other religions – 3.4%

Age Structure

  • 0-14 years: 24.5%
  • 15-64 years: 68.8%
  • 65 years and over: 6.7%

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 45.5%

Youth dependency ratio: 35.6%

Elderly dependency ratio: 9.9%

Median Age

Total: 29.7 years

Male: 29.1 years

Female: 30.3 years

Lifestyle Indicators

Obesity rate: 15.6% of the adult population

Alcohol consumption: 0.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year

Tobacco use: 21.5% of adults

Life expectancy at birth: 75.9 years

  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 76. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 96.1%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:16.75. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:6. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 2,00. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 75.5%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 24,475,766. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):36.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The military forces of Malaysia consist of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) with three main branches: the Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia), and Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia). The national police force (Polis Diraja Malaysia) maintains internal security and law enforcement, with the paramilitary General Operations Force (Pasukan Gerakan Am) providing support.

Military Expenditures

Malaysia’s military expenditures as a percentage of GDP for the last five years are as follows:

  • 2021: 1.1%
  • 2020: 1.0%
  • 2019: 1.0%
  • 2018: 1.0%
  • 2017: 1.1%

Malaysia ranks among the top 40 countries globally in terms of total military expenditure.

Personnel Strengths

As of 2022, Malaysia has approximately 109,000 active-duty military personnel, with the following breakdown:

  • Malaysian Army: 80,000
  • Royal Malaysian Navy: 15,000
  • Royal Malaysian Air Force: 14,000

The national police force has around 125,000 personnel, and the paramilitary General Operations Force has approximately 25,000 personnel.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

The Malaysian Armed Forces operate a diverse inventory of military hardware, including domestically produced equipment and imports from various countries. Key assets include:

  • Armored vehicles: PT-91M and ACV-300 main battle tanks, AIFVs, and APCs
  • Artillery: Self-propelled howitzers, multiple rocket launchers, and mortars
  • Naval assets: Frigates, corvettes, patrol craft, and submarines
  • Air assets: Fighter jets (Su-30MKM, F/A-18D), transport aircraft, and helicopters

Malaysia has ongoing military modernization programs, including the acquisition of littoral combat ships, multi-role combat aircraft, and other advanced military systems.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service is voluntary in Malaysia, with enlistment open to citizens aged 18 to 40 years old. The National Service Training Program (程: 国家 服 务 ) is a mandatory three-month program for all male and female citizens upon reaching 18 years of age, providing basic military training and nation-building activities.

Military Deployments

Malaysia contributes to various United Nations peacekeeping missions, including:

  • United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
  • United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)
  • United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

Malaysia also has a small military presence in Saudi Arabia as part of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

Strategic Military Notes

Malaysia’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining territorial integrity, safeguarding its maritime interests, and contributing to regional and international security efforts. The country actively participates in bilateral and multilateral military exercises with partners like the United States, Australia, and ASEAN nations.

As a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), Malaysia cooperates closely with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom on security and defense matters in the region. The country also has strong military ties with regional powers like Indonesia and plays a role in counter-piracy and counter-terrorism efforts in the Strait of Malacca.

  • Armed Forces Size: 113000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 1.51
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 64.30%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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