East Asia & Pacific
Living in Malaysia
Among the 116 countries we cover, Malaysia stands out most for digital access and affordability. Its weakest dimension is healthcare.
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Population
- 36M (2025)
- World Bank income group
- Upper-middle income
Key figures
- Price level (US = 100)
- 32Lower means cheaper than the US · 2025
- Life expectancy (years)
- 76.8At birth · 2024
- Homicides per 100,000 people
- 0.7Per 100,000 people per year · 2023
- People using the internet
- 98.0%Share of the population · 2024
Scores by dimension
0–100, relative to the 116 countries we cover (100 = best in our set).
- Affordability
- 65 / 100
- Safety
- 71 / 100
- Healthcare
- 54 / 100
- Governance
- 55 / 100
- Civil freedoms
- 46 / 100
- Digital access
- 97 / 100
- Economy
- 84 / 100
- Affordability#15 of 116
- Safety#42 of 116
- Healthcare#80 of 116
- Governance#46 of 116
- Civil freedoms#76 of 116
- Digital access#9 of 116
- Economy#36 of 116
The underlying data
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (US = 100)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CD / NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD | 32 | 2025 |
| GDP per personWDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CD | US$13,125 | 2025 |
| GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD | Int$41,498 | 2025 |
| Unemployment rateWDI · SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS | 3.8% | 2025 |
| Inflation (consumer prices)WDI · FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG | 1.4% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy (years)WDI · SP.DYN.LE00.IN | 76.8 | 2024 |
| Doctors per 1,000 peopleWDI · SH.MED.PHYS.ZS | 2.3 | 2023 |
| Health spending per personWDI · SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CD | US$450 | 2023 |
| Homicides per 100,000 peopleWDI · VC.IHR.PSRC.P5 | 0.7 | 2023 |
| People using the internetWDI · IT.NET.USER.ZS | 98.0% | 2024 |
| Political stability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_PV.SC | 72 | 2025 |
| Rule of law (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_RL.SC | 65 | 2025 |
| Government effectiveness (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_GE.SC | 72 | 2025 |
| Control of corruption (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_CC.SC | 59 | 2025 |
| Voice and accountability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_VA.SC | 56 | 2025 |
| PopulationWDI · SP.POP.TOTL | 36M | 2025 |
Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators (updated July 13, 2026) and Worldwide Governance Indicators (updated September 25, 2026), CC BY 4.0. We show the most recent year available for each figure. How we score
Malaysia: common questions
Is Malaysia expensive to live in?
The World Bank price level for Malaysia is 32 (US = 100) in 2025, which places it #15 of 116 countries for affordability in our data. This is a national average. Big cities, housing and imported goods can cost much more.
How safe is Malaysia?
Malaysia recorded 0.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people (2023). Its World Bank political stability score is 72 out of 100 (2025). National figures hide local differences, so check your government's current travel advice for specific areas.
What is healthcare like in Malaysia?
Life expectancy at birth in Malaysia is 76.8 years (2024). There are 2.3 doctors per 1,000 people (2023). Access for foreign residents depends on your visa, residency status and insurance, so confirm what coverage you'd be entitled to.
Do I need a visa to move to Malaysia?
It depends on your citizenship, purpose and length of stay, and the rules change often. We don't give visa advice. Check the official immigration authority or embassy of Malaysia for the current requirements.