Malaysia

Malaysia

South-eastern Asia

Asia
67
Overall score
Strong overall · 98% data coverage
Language
Malay
Currency
MYR
Citizenship
10 of the previous 12 years
Personal tax
Progressive, up to 30%
Cost of living
$1,100 / mo (single)
Overall scoring rubric
52
Access

How easy it is to get in, stay, and build status.

17% of Overall
61Residence12%
29Citizenship and passport5%
75
Earning power

How far local income goes after prices.

25% of Overall
70Salary and work12%
79Buying power13%
67
Business and wealth

How friendly the country is for taxes, companies, and investing.

20% of Overall
64Taxes7%
73Business8%
62Investment5%
71
Daily life

How comfortable everyday life is for families and long stays.

25% of Overall
74Quality of life18%
62Education7%
59
Rights and institutions

How reliable freedoms and institutions are.

13% of Overall
56Freedom6%
62Rule of law7%

Safety (77) clears the 40 floor, so no penalty applies.

Healthcare (68) clears the 40 floor, so no penalty applies.

Environment (86) clears the 35 floor, so no penalty applies.

Rights and institutions (59) clears the 30 floor, so no penalty applies.

Overall score
Final weighted result
67

An Asian country with widely spoken English, strong universities and residence by investment, but a long 12-year naturalisation wait and no dual citizenship.

Pros

  • Widely spoken English
  • Strong universities
  • Residence by investment

Cons

  • A long 12-year naturalisation wait
  • No dual citizenship

Best for

Remote workersInvestorsEnglish speakers

Score profile

Access
Residence
61
Citizenship
18
Passport
88
Earning power
Salary & work
70
Buying power
79
Cost of living
92
Economy
81
Business and wealth
Taxes
64
Personal tax
45
Corporate tax
31
Business
73
Investment
62
Wealth building
71
Daily life
Safety
77
Healthcare
68
Environment
86
Infrastructure
78
Education
62
HDI
82
Rights and institutions
Freedom
56
Rule of law
62

Access

Residence

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any residence / visa decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Openness to residents
Moderate
61
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines international migrant stock (40%), regulatory quality (20%), the breadth of named residence pathways (25%), and time to permanent residence (15%). Available indicators are reweighted.

Migrant stock10.7% of population (2024)
Regulatory quality0.68 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main pathways
EmploymentStudyFamily reunificationBusiness or investment where eligible
StudentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
WorkRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Self-employedRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
PermanentRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Citizenship

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any citizenship decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Citizenship accessibility
Low
18
Years required10 of the previous 12 years
Dual allowedfalse
LanguageCheck the current naturalisation rules for the selected route
ResidenceTypical headline route: 10 of the previous 12 years; qualifying residence and absence rules apply
NotesRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
Passport

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any travel or visa decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Passport power
Excellent
88

Passport-index style mobility for the Malaysia passport. The score above is its world reach: the share of 198 destinations reachable without a prior visa.

174 / 198
Mobility
#19
Global rank
Yes
Biometric
  • Visa-free122
  • On arrival48
  • eTA4
  • Visa required24

Passport Index style mobility data (2024–2025 estimate). Placeholder figures; verify current entry rules with each destination’s authority before travelling.

Earning power

Salary & work
Labour-market strength
Good
70
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines output per worker (a proxy for wage potential at 40%), unemployment (35%) and labour-force participation (25%). Available indicators are reweighted; the curated profile fields remain below.

Output per worker$68,622 PPP (2024)
Unemployment3.8% (2025)
Participation66.1% of 15+ (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tech salary (estimate)Varies substantially by city, seniority, and employer
FreelanceMarket access depends on language, sector, and work authorisation
Job marketUse current local vacancy and salary data for role-specific decisions.
Buying power
Purchasing power score
Good
79
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score estimates how far money goes for the typical person here. It combines GNI per capita at PPP (30%) and actual household consumption per person at PPP (15%) with a price-advantage term from the local price level (25%) that rewards lower prices, then adjusts for income equality via the Gini index (20%), so unequal economies don't ride a high average, plus price stability via consumer inflation (10%). Available indicators are reweighted; it is a comparison, not a personal budget estimate.

GNI / person$40,070 PPP (2025)
Consumption / person$22,518 PPP (2024)
Price level33 (US = 100) (2025)
Income inequality40.7 Gini (2021)
Inflation1.4% / yr (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Cost of living
Affordability
Excellent
92

Our 0–100 affordability score is derived from the local consumer price level (World Bank, US = 100): the cheaper everyday prices are, the higher it scores. Lower price level means your money goes further here.

Price level33 (US = 100) (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

RentVaries substantially by city and neighbourhood
Monthly$1,100 / mo (single)
CitiesKuala Lumpur, George Town, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu
Economy
Economic strength
Excellent
81
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines income level (GDP and GNI per capita, output per worker), growth momentum (real GDP growth), price stability (inflation) and labour utilisation (unemployment). Available indicators are reweighted; the sector split and industry profile below are descriptive, not scored.

Output & income
GDP$472.2B (2025)
GDP / person$13,125 (2025)
GNI / person$40,070 PPP (2025)
GDP growth5.1% / yr (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Stability & labour
Inflation1.4% / yr (2025)
Unemployment3.8% (2025)
Output per worker$68,622 PPP (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Sector composition
Agriculture8.2% of GDP (2025)
Industry35.7% of GDP (2025)
Services54.8% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Main industries
Electronics & semiconductorsPalm oilPetroleum & gasMachineryTourism
Top exports
Electronics & semiconductorsPalm oilPetroleum & LNGMachinery
TypeUpper-middle-income, manufacturing- and export-led
Key sectorsSemiconductor assembly & test, Palm oil, Oil & gas
SummaryA diversified upper-middle-income economy strong in electronics, a key chip packaging hub, plus palm oil and energy.
CurrencyMalaysian ringgit

Business and wealth

Taxes

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Tax friendliness
Moderate
64
PersonalProgressive, up to 30%
Corporate24%; SME rates may be lower
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Foreign cosManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Personal tax

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Personal tax
Moderate
45
PersonalProgressive, up to 30%
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Exit taxCheck current domestic rules before changing tax residence
Corporate tax

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Corporate tax
Limited
31
Corporate24%; SME rates may be lower
Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, holding structure, residence, and treaty position
DividendsRates and withholding depend on residence and treaty eligibility
Foreign cosManagement, permanent-establishment, CFC, and reporting rules may apply
Business
Business friendliness
Good
73
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score measures the operating environment without counting tax a second time: company formation and ownership rules contribute 40%, regulatory quality 30%, and government effectiveness 30%. Available indicators are reweighted; the values are shown below.

Regulation & bureaucracy
Regulatory quality0.68 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Government effectiveness0.91 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Operating rules
Foreign co.Generally possible, subject to sector, registration, tax, and substance rules
Local co.Available company forms and capital requirements vary
FreelanceRegistration, immigration permission, tax, and social contributions may apply
Investment

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any investment / tax decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Investing environment
Moderate
62
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score measures market access without counting tax a second time: broker availability contributes 50%, equity-market depth 30%, and private credit depth 20%. Available indicators are reweighted.

Market cap103% of GDP (2025)
Private credit118% of GDP (2025)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capital gainsTreatment varies by asset, residence, holding period, and treaty position
DividendsData not available yet
ETFs & fundsData not available yet
Wealth taxCheck current national and subnational rules
BrokersLocal and international availability varies by residency and compliance checks
Foreign accessData not available yet
Tax-advantagedData not available yet
Wealth building

Rules change often and depend on your situation. Confirm any tax / investment decision with a qualified professional, or do your own research, before acting.

Wealth accumulation
Good
71
How this score is calculated

How favourable Malaysia is for building wealth: earnings and business/investment upside, tax drag, and how much a typical income keeps after living costs. Estimated from the factors below.

Salary & work
Good
70
Business
Good
73
Investment
Moderate
62
Tax friendliness
Moderate
64
Cost of living
Excellent
92

Daily life

Safety
Safety & stability
Good
77
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines personal safety (intentional homicide rate at 50%), political stability and absence of violence (30%), and control of corruption (20%). Available indicators are reweighted; the published values are shown below. Always check current government travel and security advice before relocating.

Personal safety
Homicide rate0.7 per 100,000 (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Institutions & stability
Control of corruption0.50 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)
Political stability0.38 (−2.5 to 2.5) (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Healthcare
Healthcare score
Good
68
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines health outcomes (life expectancy at 25% and under-5 mortality at 20%) with system capacity (physicians at 20% and hospital beds at 15% per 1,000 people) and health spending per capita (20%). Available indicators are reweighted; the published values are shown below.

Outcomes
Life expectancy76.8 years (2024)
Under-5 mortality8.3 per 1,000 births (2024)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Capacity & resourcing
Physicians2.34 per 1,000 (2023)
Hospital beds1.96 per 1,000 (2023)
Health spending$1,441 PPP / person (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

System & costs
SystemPublic/private mix varies by eligibility and residence status
InsuranceCheck residence-permit and local coverage requirements
Avg costDepends on eligibility, income, insurer, and chosen coverage
Environment
Environment score
Excellent
86
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines annual population-weighted PM2.5 exposure at 60% with freshwater stress at 40%. Lower exposure and lower water stress score better. Air quality alone can produce a score because it covers most countries; water stress alone cannot.

Environmental pressure
PM2.5 exposure15.9 μg/m³ annually (2023)
Water stress3.4% (2022)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Infrastructure
Infrastructure score
Good
78
How this score is calculated

The score combines digital access, resilience and download performance (30%), electricity access and network losses (30%), and transport infrastructure covering rail, logistics and aviation (40%). Available inputs are reweighted, but a country needs both digital and transport data to receive a score.

Digital infrastructure
Internet use98.0% (2024)
Internet resilience71 / 100 (2026)
Fixed speed84 / 100 download index (2026)
Mobile speed77 / 100 download index (2026)

Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators · Internet Society Pulse Internet Resilience Index

Utilities
Electricity access100.0% (2023)
Grid losses6.9% of output (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Transport
Transport quality3.60 / 5 (2022)
Rail density5.0 km / 1,000 km² (2021)
Air connectivity9,989 departures / million people (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Education
Education score
Moderate
62
How this score is calculated

Our 0–100 score combines attainment (expected schooling at 30% and mean schooling at 25%) with participation (tertiary enrolment at 25%) and public investment (government education spending at 20%). Available indicators are reweighted; tuition and study rules remain separate profile fields below.

Attainment
Expected schooling12.7 years (2023)
Mean schooling11.1 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Participation & investment
Tertiary enrolment39% gross (2024)
Education spending3.5% of GDP (2023)

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators

Tuition$4,000-15,000 / yr
Public uniVaries by institution, programme, and student nationality
LanguagesMalay
Student workRules depend on status and circumstances; verify the current requirements with the competent authority before acting.
HDI
Human development score
Excellent
82
How this score is calculated

The UN Human Development Index is the geometric mean of three dimension indices (a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living), shown on a 0–100 map scale (HDI × 100). The 2023 UNDP inputs behind each dimension are listed below.

HDI0.819 (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Long & healthy life
Life expectancy76.7 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Knowledge
Expected schooling12.7 years (2023)
Mean schooling11.1 years (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Standard of living
GNI / person$32,553 PPP (2023)

Source: UNDP Human Development Report 2025

Rights and institutions

Freedom
Freedom score
Moderate
56
How this score is calculated

The score weights Freedom House’s 0–100 Freedom in the World score at 60% and its Freedom on the Net score at 40%. If either report does not cover a country, the available score is used alone. Scores of 70 and above are rated “Free”, 40–69 “Partly free”, and below 40 “Not free”.

Freedom in the World53 / 100 (Partly free)
Freedom on the Net60 / 100 (Partly free)
Rule of law
Rule of law score
Moderate
62
How this score is calculated

The World Bank’s Rule of Law indicator captures how well contracts are enforced and how independent and effective the courts, police and property-rights regime are. We show its 0–100 percentile rank, where higher means stronger, more predictable institutions.

Rule of Law percentile62 / 100
Resources

Mock data for demonstration only. Not legal or tax advice.