Summary
- Cost of living was the region’s biggest social concern, cited by 42%.
- Only 38% believe their country is moving in the right direction.
- Malaysia recorded 51% optimism, compared with 41% in Singapore and 25% in Thailand.
- Among Gen Z, corruption and government accountability ranked slightly above cost of living.
SINGAPORE, September 14 — Cost of living remains Southeast Asia’s biggest social concern, while confidence in national progress varies sharply across the region, a Milieu survey found.
The study of 3,000 people across six countries found only 38% believed their country was improving on issues important to them. Malaysia recorded 51% confidence,
Behind Vietnam at 71% but ahead of Singapore at 41% and Thailand at 25%. Half of Malaysian respondents identified cost of living as a major social concern.
Among Gen Z respondents regionally, however, corruption and government accountability ranked slightly higher than cost of living, at 33% versus 32%.
