South-East Asia
Living in Malaysia
Photo: Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur · James Kerwin from Tbilisi, CC BY 2.0 · source
A tropical, multi-ethnic country with Kuala Lumpur as a modern capital, rainforests, islands and relatively low living costs. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate25° to 26°CColdest and warmest month averages, Kuala Lumpur · 2020
Average temperature25.5°CKuala Lumpur (whole country 26.4°C) · 2020
Price level33%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$2,019Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$41,500GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment3.8%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides0.7Per 100,000 people a year · 2023
Life expectancy76.8 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air16 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest58%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers77%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue12.4%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Malay. English is widely spoken.
- Public transport: Moderate: good in the main cities, a car helps elsewhere.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Kuala Lumpur.
Moving to Malaysia
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.imi.gov.my.
- Malaysia student visa guide
- Malaysia tourist / visit visa guide
- Study in Malaysia
- Scholarships in Malaysia
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 41,497.67 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 3.76 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 0.73 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 0.34 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 0.96 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 76.82 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 450.34 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 12.43 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 77.39 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 57.66 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 15.87 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.33 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 2,018.6 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 26.4 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 25.5 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 24.7 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 26.3 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 2,518 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Kuala Lumpur are 2001–2020 averages.
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