New data shows near-total mobile phone and high internet penetration in Malaysian households, with digital skills and online activities also widespread.
PUTRAJAYA: The level of access and usage of Information and Communication Technology among Malaysian households and individuals remained exceptionally high in 2025.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the findings reflect the country’s ongoing efforts in enhancing digital inclusion across all levels of society.
The survey found that 99.5% of households have access to mobile phones, radio and television. Internet access increased to 97.1% while computer access rose to 92.6%.
Mohd Uzir noted a decline in access to paid television broadcasts, which dropped to 62% from 67.1% in 2024. Access to fixed-line telephones also saw a slight decrease to 27.6%.
Individual usage of mobile phones reached 99.6% and computer usage grew to 81.5%. This growth was supported by increases in both urban and rural areas.
Internet usage among individuals climbed to 98.3%, with urban areas recording 99.2% and rural areas 95.7%. Usage remains high across all age groups, including those aged 60 and above, which increased to 92.3%.
The level of ICT skills among individuals also remained high, with over 90% proficient in basic tasks like copying or moving files. Skills among youth aged 15 to 24 were particularly strong, with almost all indicators exceeding 80%.
Social networking activities were dominant, with 99.7% of users engaging on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The use of digital media, such as downloading music and videos, stood at 94.8%.
A total of 94.6% of users also used the internet to search for information on goods and services. This reflects an increasing reliance on digital platforms for daily activities.
