The Impact of Demographic Factors on Happiness in Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/ibej.Vol19.1.8.2026Keywords:
Demographic , Socio-Economic, Lifestyle , Employee Happiness, Good Health and Well-beingAbstract
Happiness, commonly conceptualized as subjective well-being, has increasingly been recognised as a multidimensional construct that extends beyond conventional economic indicators such as income and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This study investigates the influence of demographic, socio-economic, and lifestyle factors on happiness in Malaysia using data from the World Values Survey Wave 7, comprising 1,313 respondents. Employing a generalized ordered logistic regression (gologit2) model with a partial proportional odds specification, the analysis captures the ordinal nature of happiness while allowing for greater flexibility in estimation. The findings reveal that financial satisfaction and health status are the most significant determinants of happiness, highlighting the critical role of both economic security and physical well-being in shaping life satisfaction. Employment status also contributes positively to happiness, reflecting the importance of income stability, social identity, and psychological benefits derived from work. In addition, lifestyle-related factors such as leisure time and religious importance are found to enhance happiness, suggesting that non-material aspects play a meaningful role in overall well-being. The study identifies a U-shaped relationship between age and happiness, where happiness declines during midlife and increases at older ages, consistent with international empirical evidence. Interestingly, higher levels of education are associated with lower levels of happiness, potentially reflecting unmet expectations or increased social pressures among more educated individuals. In contrast, variables such as gender, ethnicity, and family importance do not exhibit significant effects. Overall, the results underscore the multidimensional nature of happiness and the limitations of relying solely on economic indicators to assess well-being. The study provides important policy implications, emphasising the need for integrated approaches that promote health, financial security, employment opportunities, and work–life balance. These findings contribute to the growing literature on happiness economics, particularly within the context of a multi-ethnic, middle-income country like Malaysia.
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