Happiness dropped in Thailand, Malaysia: UN report
The newly released World Happiness Report 2019 by the United Nations shows that most Southeast Asian countries generally improved their perception of happiness, but two saw significant changes: Thailand and Malaysia.
The report, which measures happiness by six “key variables,” namely GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, is published annually.
It lists Singapore happiest country in Southeast Asia with a global score of 34, while Myanmar is the unhappiest in the region at rank 131. Brunei is not in the list.
Five countries increased their happiness, most of all Cambodia by eleven notches to rank 109, Laos by five to 105, Indonesia by four to 92, the Philippines by two to 69 and Vietnam by one notch to 94.
Happiness deteriorated in Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Malaysia was also among the biggest losers worldwide, alongside Venezuela and the Ukraine. It dropped to rank 80 this year from 35 last year and was surpassed by the Philippines. While the report does not specify the reasons in detail, the regional table shows that Malaysian are particularly unhappy about corruption and a lack of social support by the state and are also missing a healthy life expectancy.
Thailand, in turn, saw its ranking drop to 52 this year from 46 last year. The table also shows discontent with corruption and little social support by the government, but also dissatisfaction with GDP per capita – which reflects the massive wealth inequality in the country which is among the highest in the world –, low life expectancy and lack of freedom. However, Thailand remains the second happiest country in Southeast Asia
Myanmar dropped slightly from 130 to 131, with a population expressing discontent about missing social support, low life expectancy and low income levels.
See the 2019 ranking below (2018 rankings in brackets):
34 Singapore (34)
52 Thailand (46)
69 Philippines (71)
80 Malaysia (35)
92 Indonesia (96)
94 Vietnam (95)
105 Laos (110)
109 Cambodia (120)
131 Myanmar (130)
Globally, the happiest countries were ranked as follows:
1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Iceland
5. Netherlands
6. Switzerland
7. Sweden
8. New Zealand
9. Canada
10. Austria
…and the ten unhappiest:
147. Haiti
148. Botswana
149. Syria
150. Malawi
151. Yemen
152. Rwanda
153. Tanzania
154. Afghanistan
155. Central African Republic
156. South Sudan
The newly released World Happiness Report 2019 by the United Nations shows that most Southeast Asian countries generally improved their perception of happiness, but two saw significant changes: Thailand and Malaysia. The report, which measures happiness by six “key variables,” namely GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, is published annually. It lists Singapore happiest country in Southeast Asia with a global score of 34, while Myanmar is the unhappiest in the region at rank 131. Brunei is not in the list. Five countries increased their happiness, most of all Cambodia by eleven...
The newly released World Happiness Report 2019 by the United Nations shows that most Southeast Asian countries generally improved their perception of happiness, but two saw significant changes: Thailand and Malaysia.
The report, which measures happiness by six “key variables,” namely GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, is published annually.
It lists Singapore happiest country in Southeast Asia with a global score of 34, while Myanmar is the unhappiest in the region at rank 131. Brunei is not in the list.
Five countries increased their happiness, most of all Cambodia by eleven notches to rank 109, Laos by five to 105, Indonesia by four to 92, the Philippines by two to 69 and Vietnam by one notch to 94.
Happiness deteriorated in Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Malaysia was also among the biggest losers worldwide, alongside Venezuela and the Ukraine. It dropped to rank 80 this year from 35 last year and was surpassed by the Philippines. While the report does not specify the reasons in detail, the regional table shows that Malaysian are particularly unhappy about corruption and a lack of social support by the state and are also missing a healthy life expectancy.
Thailand, in turn, saw its ranking drop to 52 this year from 46 last year. The table also shows discontent with corruption and little social support by the government, but also dissatisfaction with GDP per capita – which reflects the massive wealth inequality in the country which is among the highest in the world –, low life expectancy and lack of freedom. However, Thailand remains the second happiest country in Southeast Asia
Myanmar dropped slightly from 130 to 131, with a population expressing discontent about missing social support, low life expectancy and low income levels.
See the 2019 ranking below (2018 rankings in brackets):
34 Singapore (34)
52 Thailand (46)
69 Philippines (71)
80 Malaysia (35)
92 Indonesia (96)
94 Vietnam (95)
105 Laos (110)
109 Cambodia (120)
131 Myanmar (130)
Globally, the happiest countries were ranked as follows:
1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Norway
4. Iceland
5. Netherlands
6. Switzerland
7. Sweden
8. New Zealand
9. Canada
10. Austria
…and the ten unhappiest:
147. Haiti
148. Botswana
149. Syria
150. Malawi
151. Yemen
152. Rwanda
153. Tanzania
154. Afghanistan
155. Central African Republic
156. South Sudan
