Socio-Economic Differences in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case in Malaysia

• Published in: Proceedings Vol. 82; no. 1; p. 32
• Main Authors: Nor Salwati Othman, Zuraidah Mohamed Isa, Norhidayah Ali, Dahlia Ibrahim, Azyyati Anuar, Suhaida Abu Bakar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01.09.2022
• Subjects: COVID-19 pandemic; Malaysia; socioeconomic impact
• ISSN: 2504-3900
• DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2022082032

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically transformed the human lifestyle and world socioeconomic conditions. It has attracted many scholars to assess the consequences of this pandemic. From a different angle, this study aims to compare the socioeconomic conditions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess which socioeconomic indicator was most impacted by the pandemic. This empirical study employed a valid and reliable questionnaire that was randomly distributed to 516 respondents aged 18 to 65 years old in Peninsular Malaysia. Paired sample t-test and frequency analysis were utilised for the data analysis. Results show a significant difference in terms of socioeconomic conditions, namely income, saving, job security, health conditions, security/personal safety, emotional condition, spirituality, and work productivity was observed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, spirituality (99.4%), food security (96.9%), health (88%), and personal safety (83.5%) were the most affected indicators during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcomes of this study could provide policymakers with a clear picture of the effective strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and aiding Malaysia in its economic and social recovery after the pandemic.