Introduction
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) recently released its report on household income in Malaysia. The report revealed that the median monthly household income in Malaysia increased by 1.9% to RM5,873 in 2023 compared to RM5,765 in 2022. However, the report also showed that there is still a significant gap between the incomes of different households in Malaysia.
Key Findings
The key findings of the DOSM report include:
- The median monthly household income in Malaysia increased by 1.9% to RM5,873 in 2023 compared to RM5,765 in 2022.
- The top 20% of households in Malaysia earn more than 10 times the bottom 20% of households.
- The income gap between urban and rural households is still significant.
- The median monthly household income in urban areas is RM6,895 compared to RM4,473 in rural areas.
Challenges
The DOSM report also highlights a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order to improve household income in Malaysia. These challenges include:
- The high cost of living in Malaysia.
- The lack of affordable housing.
- The low wages in Malaysia.
- The limited access to education and skills training.
Recommendations
The DOSM report makes a number of recommendations to address the challenges faced by households in Malaysia. These recommendations include:
- Increasing the minimum wage.
- Providing more affordable housing.
- Improving access to education and skills training.
- Investing in infrastructure.
- Reducing the cost of living.
Conclusion
The DOSM report on household income in Malaysia provides valuable insights into the current state of income inequality in Malaysia. The report also highlights a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order to improve household income in Malaysia. The recommendations made in the report provide a roadmap for policymakers to follow in order to achieve this goal.
Further Reading
Department of Statistics Malaysia
Household Income Report 2023
Tables
Table 1: Median Monthly Household Income by State, 2023
| State | Median Monthly Household Income (RM) |
|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 9,500 |
| Selangor | 8,000 |
| Johor | 6,500 |
| Penang | 6,000 |
| Perak | 5,500 |
Table 2: Distribution of Household Income, 2023
| Income Group | Percentage of Households |
|---|---|
| Bottom 20% | 5% |
| Middle 60% | 50% |
| Top 20% | 45% |
Table 3: Income Gap between Urban and Rural Households, 2023
| Area | Median Monthly Household Income (RM) |
|---|---|
| Urban | 6,895 |
| Rural | 4,473 |
Table 4: Challenges to Improving Household Income in Malaysia
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | The cost of living in Malaysia has been rising steadily in recent years, making it difficult for households to make ends meet. |
| Lack of affordable housing | The lack of affordable housing in Malaysia is a major challenge for households, especially for those in urban areas. |
| Low wages | The wages in Malaysia are relatively low compared to other developed countries. This makes it difficult for households to earn a decent income. |
| Limited access to education and skills training | The limited access to education and skills training in Malaysia makes it difficult for households to improve their earning potential. |
