Economy

The positive growth of Malaysian economy and the stable inflation in 2024 has contributed to a favourable consumer outlook. Our survey data reveals that the Malaysian Consumer Confidence Index in January 2025 has surged by 4% compared to a year ago. Notably, our index surpasses the global average, as well as Japan and South Korea, suggesting that Malaysian consumers are more optimistic about their economic prospects than our regional counterparts.

2024 marked a year with mix sentiment for Malaysians. Our latest global survey shows that while experiencing a 4% decline in negative sentiment compared to 2023, there is still 55% of Malaysians who think that 2024 was a bad year. Malaysians are also expecting higher inflation and taxes. This indicates a feeling of uncertainty about the economy and public health among the people.

The Ipsos Predictions Survey 2025 is a 33-country study which looks at people’s expectations and predictions for the year ahead.

Conducted monthly in 29 countries among 20,000 adults for over a decade, the Ipsos What Worries the World study offers an exceptional snapshot of world opinion on pressing global issues.

In 2023, the economy of Malaysia grew steadily by 3.7%, and is expected to keep growing between 4% and 5% in 2024, with a moderate inflation rate. In short, the economy appears stable with contained inflation.
However, two out of three Malaysians believe the country is in recession. One out of three Malaysians feels that their inflation crisis is worse than in other countries.

Malaysians are less pessimistic about their future, despite 1 in 5 Malaysians are facing financial difficulties, especially lower-income households.

5 months from GE15, two third of Malaysians believe country is on the right track.

As we enter 2023, we've emerged from a global pandemic only to find ourselves immersed in a looming financial crisis, a climate crisis, a war which is causing an energy crisis, and long-standing inequalities blooming into geopolitical crises around the world. This polycrisis has led to the rise of polyvalues.