S'pore, M'sia fare poorly in 'quality of life index'

By Anil Netto

Many Malaysians look up to Singapore for its quality of life.

But have a look at the ‘quality of life index’ by International Living. Singapore has a total score of just 61, just above Malaysia’s 58. Both are way down the list.

Of course, this doesn’t look like a scientific index as it appears to be based more on perception. And the compilers of the index admit they have a Western bias when it comes to matters such as climate preference.

But all the same it is interesting to note that the quality of life in Singapore – which scores 100 per cent for ‘risk and safety’ but is pulled down by its low level of freedom – just doesn’t cut it for them.