A note on happiness and life satisfaction in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Mei, Chin Boo, Siew, Hwa Yen, Lim, Hock Eam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malaysian Economic Association 2016
• Subjects: HC Economic History and Conditions
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/20578/1/MJES%2053%202%202016%20261%20277.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/20578/; http://e-journal.um.edu.my/public/article-view.php?id=19617

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has long been an indicator of economic growth.There is an on-going debate on whether high growth increases well-being.The terms ‘happiness’ and ‘life satisfaction’ are often used interchangeably to explain the subjective well-being levels of individuals.This study examines if both happiness and life satisfaction of Malaysian citizens are explained by the same factors based on a sample size of 1289 adopted from the 6th waves of World Values Survey (2010-2014).Outcomes from the ordered logit regression analysis indicate that income has strong positive relationship with happiness and life satisfaction.This study supports Easterlin paradox partially, which indicates a positive association between happiness and income in the short-term.Other common income related factors that have positive and strong significant impact on both happiness and life satisfaction are health status, employment and satisfaction on financial situation of household.