KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): Malaysians are in a state of maximum worry, says think-tank EMIR Research, based on its index which measures anxieties surrounding the cost of living, jobs, economics and security.

The National Worry Index (NWI) measures the degree by which Malaysians are worried over these four factors. Scores are placed between zero and one (from minimum worry to maximum worry).

To be in a state of maximum worry, the NWI has to reach 0.75 points and above. Malaysians are in that state with a score of 0.77.

In particular, EMIR Research found that the cost of living was the source of most worry for Malaysians surveyed — with a score of 0.81.

Second in line are concerns over jobs, which stood at 0.78 points. Meanwhile, occupying third place are anxieties over security (0.77) followed by economics (0.74).

The findings showed that women tended to be slightly more worried than men, posting 0.78 points as compared to 0.77.

When divided between rural and urban respondents, the index found that rural respondents were more worried than their urban counterparts, posting 0.8 points versus 0.77 — with both groups being most concerned over the cost of living.

When divided by income levels, the NWI found that those earning less than RM3,000 a month were most concerned with the cost of living, while those earning more than RM5,001 a month were most concerned with the state of security in the country.

Those who earned below RM3,000, and between RM3,001 and RM5,000 were equally worried, posting a score of 0.79. Those earning more than RM5,001 were slightly less worried, registering a score of 0.76.

Malay and bumiputera respondents were found to be the most worried, posting a score of 0.8 points. Chinese respondents were slightly less worried at 0.73, while Indian respondents were the least worried at 0.71.

Those aged below 31 were the most worried, posting a score of 0.8, while those aged 41 to 50 were the least worried, with a score of 0.74.

Some 1,992 people participated in the NWI, which is based on results from EMIR Research's inaugural poll conducted from Sept 5 to Oct 10.

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