The 2016 Prudential Relationship Index (2016 PRI) numerically measures how satisfied people are with their primary relationships and what can be done to improve them.
In the survey, 83% of Malaysians said their partners expressed love for them, compared to an average of 76% across Asia.
The research also showed that for 47% of couples, money was the most likely cause of arguments. Other common sources of arguments were children (33%), being inattentive (32%), and spending too much time on the telephone or computer (31%).
The survey also showed that Malaysian couples tend to keep their finances separately, as only 39% have a joint bank account.
The survey said 67% of Malaysians made financial plans together with their partners, and 77% said they talked to each other about their future together.
More than 5,000 interviews were conducted in 10 Asian countries including Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Singapore and Indonesia from July 13 to July 31, 2016. Respondents were adults between 25 and 55 years of age.
In Malaysia, 605 interviews were conducted through online sampling with representative adults in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
Respondents were residents representing the top two-thirds of household income in both districts.
Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd (PAMB) chief marketing officer Khoo Ai Lin said the index provided a snapshot of the health of relationships in Malaysia, highlighting the areas that contributed to happiness and those that required attention.
“This study helps us understand our customers better. It is backed up by statistics.
“It also helps us equip our distribution channels and our agency force when they engage with the customers,” she said at the launch of the 2016 PRI here today.
Also present were Prudential BSN Takaful Bhd (PruBSN) chief marketing officer Nor Azman Zainal, motivational speaker Dr Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah, Association for Marriage Family president Dr Johnben Loy and host Belinda Chee.
The 2016 PRI is Asia’s first relationship index launched by PAMB and PruBSN.
Nor Azman said the survey aimed to be an annual research project to gauge trends and changes of primary relationships in the coming years.
“Some of the insights unearthed by the PRI will be instrumental in helping us better understand our customers, which in turn will allow us to help them create stronger and more rewarding relationship ties,” he said.