A Quality of Life and Socioeconomic Assessment of the Redang Island Community

Abstract

Redang Island has experienced rapid economic growth and an abundance of visitors; however, there is limited evidence to determine whether this financial success has genuinely improved the quality of life of local residents. It is essential to examine whether the community has equitable access to opportunities, resources, and overall well-being during this period of transformation. This study investigates the quality of life of the Redang Island community based on socioeconomic conditions within the context of rapid tourism development. The primary objective is to assess residents’ quality of life and their perceptions of how tourism influences their economic opportunities. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire covering five main domains: income and employment, cost of living, access to basic services, education and economic awareness, and overall wellbeing. Data were collected from 48 respondents using convenience sampling due to accessibility constraints and the availability of participants within the Redang Island community. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and mean score analysis. The Pearson correlation results indicate that quality of life is significantly and positively associated with education (r = 0.556, p < .001), social contribution (r = 0.638, p < .001), health (r = 0.455, p < .01), asset ownership (r = 0.373, p < .01), and access to services (r = 0.494, p < .01). However, income (r = 0.249, p > .05) and self-reliance (r = 0.196, p > .05) demonstrated weak and statistically insignificant relationships with quality of life.) In terms of perception, mean scores show most respondents (74%) agreed that tourism has brought economic benefits and expressed a desire to engage in tourism-related activities. The PLS regression further reveals that social interactions, education, perceived quality of life, and asset ownership are the most significant factors influencing residents’ perceptions of economic development in Redang Island. These findings suggest that although tourism offers opportunities, its benefits are not yet equitably distributed across the community. The study concludes that inclusive policies, skills training, and improved access to microfinancing are essential to ensure long-term well-being and sustainable development for the Redang Island community.