Kuala Lumpur has been recognized as one of the happiest cities globally in a recent study by the Institute for Quality of Life. The 2024 Happy City Index evaluated 250 cities worldwide, placing Kuala Lumpur in the bronze category at the 188th position. This ranking reflects the city’s performance across five key themes: citizens, governance, environment, economy, and mobility.
Understanding the 2024 Happy City Index
The Happy City Index is an annual evaluation that ranks cities based on their ability to create a happy and fulfilling environment for their residents. The 2024 index categorized cities into three groups: gold, silver, and bronze. Kuala Lumpur earned a spot in the bronze category, scoring 1315.4 points, and was ranked 188th out of 250 cities.
Detailed Scores for Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur’s scores across the five themes were as follows:
- Citizens: 287.6
- Governance: 272.8
- Economy: 259.9
- Environment: 236.5
- Mobility: 258.5
Comparison with Other Cities
In the study, 37 cities were categorized as gold, 63 as silver, and 150 as bronze. Kuala Lumpur’s position in the bronze category highlights its balanced performance across multiple indicators that contribute to residents’ happiness. The highest-ranking cities in the gold category demonstrated exceptional performance in these areas, setting a benchmark for others.
Serdang’s Inclusion in the Index
Interestingly, Serdang, although not officially recognized as a city, was included in the study. It ranked 166th in the bronze category with a score of 1357.4. Serdang’s scores were:
- Citizens: 249.6
- Governance: 249.8
- Economy: 335.4
- Mobility: 240.3
Evaluation Criteria
The 2024 Happy City Index assessed cities based on 24 different areas of activity categorized under the five themes. These criteria included:
- Educational System (Citizens)
- Social Inclusion (Citizens)
- GDP and Productivity (Economy)
- Resident Involvement in Decision-Making (Governance)
- Transparency and Open Data (Governance)
- Accessibility of Public E-Services (Governance)
- Natural Resource Management (Environment)
- Innovation and Creativity of Residents (Citizens)
- Conscious Strategies (Governance)
- Use of ICT in Transport (Mobility)
- Enterprise Innovation and Creativity (Economy)
- Anti-Pollution Measures (Environment)
- Waste and Recycling Management (Environment)
- Public Transport Efficiency (Mobility)
- Green Areas Availability (Environment)
- Access to Culture (Citizens)
- Entrepreneurship (Economy)
- Transport System Safety (Mobility)
- Labour Market Flexibility (Economy)
- ICT Availability in Enterprises (Economy)
- Biodiversity Protection (Environment)
- Openness of Transport Data (Mobility)
- Multimodal Transport Availability (Mobility)
- Internationalisation of Enterprises (Economy)
Methodology and Insights
The study’s methodology does not aim to identify the single “best” city but rather to assess cities based on their commitment to various aspects of urban living that contribute to happiness. The report emphasizes the importance of education, inclusive policies, economic stability, mobility, environmental protection, and innovation in creating a happy city.
Conclusion
Kuala Lumpur’s ranking in the 2024 Happy City Index underscores its balanced approach to governance, economic development, environmental sustainability, and citizen well-being. While there is room for improvement, especially in areas like the environment and governance, the city’s performance reflects a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents. As Malaysia continues to develop and innovate, Kuala Lumpur’s recognition as one of the happiest cities globally highlights its potential to become an even more attractive place to live and work.
