The Malaysian Lens
Economic Analysis · Data-Driven · Independent
GDP Growth 2024 +5.1% ▲
|
CPI Jan 2025 1.8%
|
OPR 2.75% ▼ Cut Jan 2026
|
USD/MYR 4.47 ▼
|
Unemployment 3.3%
|
Reserves USD 116.6B
|
Trade Balance RM +20.4B ▲
⚠️ Data on this site is sourced from DOSM and BNM and is provided for informational purposes only. Figures may not reflect the latest official releases — always verify at data.gov.my and bnm.gov.my. The author accepts no liability for any decisions made based on data presented here. Views are my own.

Real Economy

Malaysia's GDP growth trend, demand-side decomposition, and key output indicators. Data from DOSM National Accounts.

+5.1%
GDP Growth (2024)
vs +3.6% in 2023
RM 1.85T
Nominal GDP (2024)
USD ~395B
RM 53.2k
GDP Per Capita
~USD 11,350
3.3%
Unemployment
vs 3.4% prior year
+6.0%
Private Cons. Growth
Largest demand driver
GDP Growth Rate
Annual % change — Source: DOSM
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) — National Accounts
GDP Growth Decomposition — Demand Side
Percentage point contributions to annual GDP growth — Source: DOSM
Private Consumption
Private Investment
Government
Net Exports
Inventory Change
GDP Growth (line)
Source: DOSM National Accounts — Expenditure Approach. Note: Components are approximate contributions (pp) and may not sum exactly due to rounding.
Sectoral Growth (2024)
% change year-on-year — DOSM
Source: DOSM
Approved FDI by Sector
RM Billion — 2024 — MIDA
Source: MIDA Investment Performance

Inflation

Malaysia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) — trend, major components, and sub-component breakdown. Tap any component bar to drill down. Data from DOSM.

1.8%
Headline CPI (2024)
vs 2.5% in 2023
1.9%
Core CPI (2024)
Excl. fuel & fresh food
4.2%
Highest Component
Restaurants & Hotels
−0.2%
Lowest Component
Communication
CPI Trend — Headline vs Core
Annual % change — Source: DOSM
Source: DOSM Consumer Price Index. Core CPI excludes fresh food and administered price items.
CPI by Component (2024)
% change year-on-year — Tap a bar to see sub-components

👆 Tap any bar to drill into sub-components

Source: DOSM CPI — 12 Division Classification
Sub-components
Inflation Contribution by Component (2024)
Basket weight × price change = contribution to headline CPI
Source: DOSM. Contribution = (component weight / 100) × component CPI change. Illustrative.

External Sector

Malaysia's trade balance, exchange rate, and international reserves. Data from BNM and DOSM.

4.47
USD/MYR (Dec 2024)
Weakened from 4.62 (2023 avg)
RM +20.4B
Trade Surplus (Nov 2024)
Month-on-month
USD 116.6B
Int'l Reserves (BNM)
5.4 months import cover
3.00%
OPR (BNM)
Unchanged since May 2023
USD/MYR Exchange Rate
Monthly average — Source: BNM
Source: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). Note: Higher value = weaker Ringgit.
Trade Balance (Annual)
RM Billion — Source: DOSM
Source: DOSM External Trade Statistics
BNM Overnight Policy Rate
% — Source: BNM
Source: Bank Negara Malaysia

Analysis

Data-driven posts on Malaysia's economy — in plain language. Grounded in DOSM and BNM data. Views are my own.

💡
Industry & Trade
Malaysia's Semiconductor Golden Goose Is Running Out of Time

A RM1 billion ARM Holdings deal. Institutional uncertainty. Two scenarios — both bad for Malaysia.

Semiconductors FDI March 2026