Survey finds youths unhappy with income but optimistic

KUALA LUMPUR: A national survey conducted by Kajidata Research Sdn Bhd recently revealed that slightly more than half of the Malaysian youths are contented with life.

The nationwide poll conducted on 1,000 youths aged 21-35 from all ethnic groups, including from Sabah and Sarawak, also found that 70 percent of them are living happily with their families with 56 percent of them being satisfied with the comfort at their homes.

The majority of youths also appreciated the fact that they are much better off today than their predecessors 15-20 years ago when it comes to educational opportunities, with slightly less than half of them admitting the Malaysian standard of living has improved over the same period.

Speaking of employment, 44.5 percent are satisfied with their current occupation but almost 70 percent of them are unhappy with their income.

They believe a bigger pay cheque is necessary to help them tide over the rising cost of living. A big number (38 percent) also agreed there are less high paying jobs now unlike 10-15 years ago.

Kajidata's Advisor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Idid told Bernama that the study also indicated 94.2 percent of the youths have been following the developments in the country with the bread and butter issues being their main concern with other matters like politics and social issues at the bottom of their list.

Money, high cost of living including rising prices of basic necessities and debts are the concern of more than half of the respondents.

The youths were able to differentiate the real issues affecting them, and how it affects the quality of life in general with the others being secondary. They are highly confident of their future.

In summing up the findings of the survey, Prof Syed Arabi noted that though the youths were aware of the present challenges especially in the economic front due to the internal and external factors, they were sanguine of their future wellbeing.

“Interestingly, the family is an important pillar for their wellbeing and that is where they derive much of the comfort and conviction in life,” said the former rector of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) on the finding that 70 percent of the respondents being happy and contented with their families.

Kajidata specialises in commercial and social intelligence.