Malaysia
Southeast Asia · Asia
Population
34.1M
GDP (Nominal)
$421.9B
Capital City
Kuala Lumpur
Currency
MYR (RM)
Avg Salary
$867/mo
Region
Southeast Asia
Livability Index 2026
30.5/100
Cost of Living
12/100
Avg Salary
49.3/100
Safety
70.1/100
Healthcare
65/100
Education
71/100
Overall Livability
Institutional Summary
Malaysia is a rapidly developing powerhouse in Southeast Asia, known for its stunning mix of hyper-modern cities, lush rainforests, and diverse cultures. For expats and digital nomads, it offers an incredible quality of life at a fraction of the cost of Western nations, supported by widespread English proficiency and excellent food. The newly updated DE Rantau Nomad Pass and MM2H retirement program make it a highly attractive hub, though the intense tropical humidity and lower local wages are important factors to consider.
Cost of Living
Monthly Rent (1BR)$400
Monthly Groceries$200
Monthly Transport$35
Utilities & Internet$70
Estimated Total Monthly
$705 /person
AI Algorithm Summary
Major Strengths
- • Extremely affordable cost of living
Algorithmic Red Flags
- • Significant safety and crime concerns (Score: 49.3)
- • High income tax burden (30%)
Economic Performance
📈 Stable GrowthGDP Per Capita
$12,374
Inflation Rate
1.8%
Unemployment
3.2%
5-Year GDP Trend
Migration & Visa
Employment Pass (EP)
DE Rantau (Digital Nomad)
MM2H (Retirement)
Visa Difficulty
5/10
PR Eligibility
Very Difficult (Rarely granted)
Employment Landscape
Avg Monthly Salary
$867
Trending
Top Performing Industries
Electronics & Semiconductors
Oil & Gas
Palm Oil & Agriculture
Tourism
Social Indicators
Life Expectancy
76.3 Yrs
Literacy Rate
95%
Top Universities (QS Rank)
Universiti Malaya (UM)#58
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)#126
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)#134
Compare Malaysia
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