Seven in 10 Malaysians believe the nation is on the right track, with optimism driven by economic growth and targeted government aid.
PETALING JAYA: Public confidence in Malaysia’s direction is on the rise, with 69% of Malaysians believing the country is moving on the right track, according to the latest Malaysia Cost of Living Monitor by Ipsos.
The figure represents an improvement from 66% recorded last year, reflecting increasingly positive sentiment towards recent economic developments and new policy measures introduced by the government.
Ipsos said the survey assessed not only national confidence but also perceptions of the economy, key public concerns, household spending intentions and expectations for quality of life.
While optimism about the global economy has weakened across much of Southeast Asia, Malaysia bucked the trend, recording a sharp increase in economic confidence to 73% in November, up from 65% in January.
This places Malaysia ahead of the global average of 27% and regional peers such as Singapore (71%), Indonesia (54%) and Thailand (42%).
Looking ahead, 39% of respondents expect their disposable income to rise next year, while 45% believe their quality of life will improve.
Ipsos attributed this optimism partly to targeted government initiatives, including Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara), which have eased cost-of-living pressures and improved household expectations.
Despite the improving outlook, respondents continued to cite financial and political corruption (39%), poverty and social inequality (26%), and unemployment (25%) as their top concerns, although Ipsos noted that anxiety around these issues has moderated.
Ipsos Malaysia managing director Arun Menon said the results point to strengthening public trust in the country’s economic stability.
“Malaysia is now the most economically optimistic nation in the region, in contrast to declining confidence in several other Southeast Asian countries.
“Public concerns over poverty, unemployment, and corruption have eased, signalling greater trust in the nation’s stability.
“This optimism is also reflected in higher household spending intentions, surpassing the global average,” he said.
He added that Malaysia’s economy expanded by 5.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, driven by strong household consumption, resilient exports and steady investment.
“This marks the fastest quarterly growth in a year and brings the full-year target within reach. Net foreign direct investment rose to RM8.5 billion, reflecting sustained investor confidence, while inflation remained low at 1.3 per cent, helping maintain consumer purchasing power.
“Targeted government assistance, including Sumbangan Asas Rahmah, Budi Madani RON95, and electricity tariff adjustments, has eased daily financial pressures and bolstered positive sentiment.
“With rising economic confidence, Malaysians are expecting higher disposable income and improved standards of living next year.”
He also mentioned that the 13th Malaysia Plan, which focuses on income growth, social protection and cost-of-living management, is expected to strengthen current progress and deliver longer-term economic benefits.
The Malaysia findings were based on a representative sample of 501 respondents aged between 16 and 74, while the global study surveyed 23,641 respondents.
