Main image via Asia School of Business + JobStreet
This year, we’ve all met many challenges that we’ve had to accept as our new norm, working from home is one of them.
Last year, when we made our way to our offices for on normal workdays; Kuala Lumpur was listed as the fourth most overworked city with the lowest work-life balance.
This year, we’ve placed fourth once again but with a few changes.
via GIPHY
American company Kisi first decided to explore the topic of work-life balance back in 2019 with their study to determine the cities whose residents had the most well-rounded work-life balance. The study was done by looking at the work intensity, livability and the well-being and rights of a city’s inhabitants.
2020 however has seen many changes especially in the work and economic conditions, so Kisi has decided to expand this year’s study’s scope to explore whether some cities were more impacted than others by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As such, results of the 2020 index offers a look into how the pandemic has changed and continues to affect work-life balance in major cities around the world.
Image via The Edge Markets
While Malaysia is known for many good things, unfortunately, the “Best Cities for Work-Life Balance 2020” study placed Kuala Lumpur as number 47th out of the list of 50 cities worldwide that were studied for qualities that make working and living easier.
However, there is a silver lining. When it comes to coping with the current pandemic, KL came in as the 13th least-impacted city with the fifth lowest projected unemployment.
The results of the study were based on an analysis of 19 factors that were grouped under four main themes – Work Intensity, Society and Institutions, City Livability and Covid-19.
Image via Kisi
Under Work Intensity, Kuala Lumpur clocked in the most hours any city has spent on work and commuting with an average of 52 hours a week spent doing both.
Kuala Lumpur scored the lowest for all factors under Societies and Institutions, which includes Social Spending (15.9), Healthcare (47.1), Access to Mental Healthcare (15.9), and Inclusivity and Tolerance (25).
For City Livability, KL recorded relatively good scores for Affordability (78. 3), Wellness and Fitness (73) and City Safety & Stress (69.5) but unfortunately came in lowest for Happiness, Culture and Leisure (35) and Outdoor Spaces (35). Our Air Quality too recorded low scores with a 34.8.
But as we mentioned earlier, Kuala Lumpur has managed to score well for it’s COVID-19 impact by coming in 13th with a score of 82.1, and coming in as 5th lowest for projected unemployment rate at 95.2.
Image via JobStreet
The “Best Cities for Work-Life Balance 2020” study saw Oslo, Norway coming in as the Top City while Helsinki, Finland and Copenhagen, Denmark came second and third respectively.
While Kuala Lumpur comes in as the fourth most overworked city, Hong Kong, China was ranked the most overworked city with Singapore and Seoul, South Korea coming in second and third.
Image via Kisi
In terms of having a good work-life balance, Kuala Lumpur scored comparatively better this year by coming in at 47th for overall work-life balance. Last year, KL ranked the lowest at 50th.
The study is not meant to highlight the best cities to work or to show the capabilities of a city, rather it is an indication of a city’s ability to provide work-life balance to its citizens – even if it is from home.
via GIPHY
If you’re interested to know more about this study, you can check it out HERE.
What do you think about the findings of the study? Is it accurate or exaggerated? Let us know in the comments!
Info via Kisi