Abstract

The pursuit of sustainable development requires not only economic growth but also multidimensional indicators that reflect quality of life, social well-being and human development. Malaysia, through the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), has pioneered several indices such as Malaysia Happiness Index (MHI), the Malaysia Well-Being Index (MyWI) and the Malaysia Human Development Index (MHDI) which collectively provide a holistic view of national progress. However, these indices are currently disseminated in separate silos, limiting their potential for cross-domain analysis and policy innovation.
This paper proposes the development of the Malaysia Integrated Well-Being Data Ecosystem (MIWDE), a framework that leverages data interoperability to connect these indices into a unified structure. By applying ontologies, metadata harmonization and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), the ecosystem enables seamless data sharing and integration across agencies, researchers and policymakers. Empirical findings highlight improvements in subjective well-being (MHI 2025: 88.84%), balanced socio-economic progress (MyWI 2021: 121.2) and steady human development (MHDI 2024: 0.826). Together, these datasets provide a powerful foundation for evidence-based policymaking.
The results reveal that economic and developmental progress do not automatically translate into higher happiness levels, underscoring the importance of social cohesion, mental health and community resilience. Urban-rural disparities further demonstrate that happiness is shaped not only by material conditions but also by social capital. Through global benchmarking, Malaysia’s integrated ecosystem aligns with international frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the OECD Better Life Index, positioning the country as a regional leader in statistical innovation. Ultimately, this paper argues that data interoperability is not merely a technical exercise but a socio-political transformation that strengthens citizen trust and advances holistic national development.