Malaysia
Asia
Key facts
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya
- Population
- 35,977,838
- 2025
- Area
- 330,534 km²
- Official language
- Malay
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit
- MYR
- GDP per capita
- US$13,125
- 2025
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship: a citizen who voluntarily acquires another nationality can be deprived of Malaysian citizenship by the Federal Government.
Malaysia (Asia) has data on 11/14 Prosperous Intelligence indices. Strongest relative position: Cost of Living Index — #8/200 (90.3/100). Lowest relative position: Healthcare Index — #91/192 (57.8/100). The passport ranks #10/198 and reaches 195 destinations without a consular visa in advance. Global Citizenship Score 76.2/100 (#44/199). On the entry side, 166/197 passports can enter Malaysia without a consular visa in advance. The dataset records 4 active citizenship and residence programmes in Malaysia.
Scores on 11 indices
- Health & Longevity57.8
- Safety & Stability76.7
- Economy & Income83.2
- Education66.3
- Environment & Clean Water75.6
- Infrastructure92.4
- Digital Connectivity66.5
- Equality45.0
- Learning Quality59.7
- Educational Attainment80.7
- Expected Years of Schooling58.1
- Education Spending64.1
- Basic Access70.0
- Violent Crime98.9
- Stability & Absence of Terrorism72.1
- Law Enforcement & Order61.0
- Road Safety42.1
- Absence of Armed Conflict99.9
- Health Outcomes86.0
- Coverage & Access92.4
- Health Workforce & Facilities29.5
- Spending & Investment9.7
- Financial Protection50.5
- Personal Income Tax82.0
- Capital Gains & Dividends100.0
- System & Incentives90.0
- Net Wealth Tax100.0
- Inheritance & Gift Tax100.0
- Corporate & Social Security58.9
- Rule of Law & Property Rights59.9
- Political Stability72.1
- Institutions & Regulation71.7
- Financial Soundness62.7
- Monetary Stability95.1
- Freedom of Capital Movement65.0
- Education66.3
- Healthcare57.8
- Safety76.7
- Quality of Life69.6
- Cost of living90.3
- Passport92.6
- Passport92.6
- Quality of Life69.6
- Safety76.7
- Healthcare57.8
- Purchasing power & price stability83.0
- Education66.3
- Wealth Protection69.7
- Tax89.1
- Cost of living90.3
- Healthcare57.8
- Safety76.7
- Quality of Life69.6
- Tax89.1
- Wealth Protection69.7
- Affordable Prices88.3
- Price Stability95.1
- Purchasing power80.0
Monthly living costs
- Total incl. rentUS$896Rank 4 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Total excl. rentUS$220Rank 2 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Housing & utilitiesUS$691Rank 4 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Core food basketUS$79Rank 3 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- A fixed basket of 15 everyday items at online retail prices; not a household’s full food spending.
- Eating outUS$58Rank 2 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- TransportUS$37Rank 7 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Internet & mobileUS$32Rank 3 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- 2 adults, 2 primary-school children
- Total incl. rentUS$1,361Rank 2 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Total excl. rentUS$601Rank 3 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Housing & utilitiesUS$807Rank 2 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Core food basketUS$253Rank 3 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- A fixed basket of 15 everyday items at online retail prices; not a household’s full food spending.
- Eating outUS$115Rank 2 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- TransportUS$147Rank 11 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- Internet & mobileUS$39Rank 3 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- International school (reference)US$2,128Rank 15 of 24 countries researched; #1 is the cheapest
- 4 schools, US$1,989–US$2,360 a month; not included in the totals
At a glance
Entering Malaysia
- Visa-free: 166 passports
- Visa on arrival: 0 passports
- eTA: 0 passports
- e-Visa: 28 passports
- Consular visa required: 3 passports
Regional position and data sources
- First in Asia on 0/11 indices
- Above the regional median on 11/11 indices
- Each index lists its source and data date on the Data sources page
Citizenship and residence programmes in the dataset
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision
- Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP)
- and 1 more programmes
Frequently asked questions about Malaysia
What is the capital of Malaysia?
Malaysia has 2 capitals: Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
What is the population of Malaysia?
According to the World Bank, Malaysia had a population of 35,977,838 in 2025.
What is the official language of Malaysia?
The official language of Malaysia is Malay.
What currency does Malaysia use?
Malaysia uses the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).
Does Malaysia allow dual citizenship?
Malaysia does not recognise dual citizenship: a citizen who voluntarily acquires another nationality can be deprived of Malaysian citizenship by the Federal Government.
How strong is the Malaysia passport?
The Malaysia passport ranks #10 of 198 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Passport Index and reaches 195 destinations without applying for a consular visa in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA).
How many destinations require a visa for Malaysia passport holders?
Holders of the Malaysia passport must apply for a consular visa before travelling to 23 destinations and need an e-Visa for 29. Full list: Malaysia passport page.
How many passports can enter Malaysia without applying for a visa in advance?
166 of 197 passports can enter Malaysia without applying for a consular visa in advance: 166 visa-free. 28 need an e-Visa and 3 must apply for a consular visa.
What citizenship and residency programmes does Malaysia offer?
The Prosperous Intelligence dataset records 4 active citizenship and residency programmes in Malaysia: DE Rantau Nomad Pass, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision, Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) and 1 more. Details: Opportunity Map.
What is the minimum investment for residency or citizenship in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision requires a minimum investment starting from US$150,000 and Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) requires US$213,000 (reference USD conversion).
How long does an application take in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, an application under DE Rantau Nomad Pass takes about 0–2 months, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision about 3–6 months and Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) about 2–4 months (reference processing time).
How many days a year do you need to spend in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, DE Rantau Nomad Pass requires 365 days of physical presence a year, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision 90 days and Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP) 0 days (reference figure).
Can family members join programmes in Malaysia?
Family members included: DE Rantau Nomad Pass: spouse and children under 18; Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — 2024 revision: spouse and children under 34; Malaysia Premium Visa Programme (PVIP): spouse and children under 21.
Where is Malaysia strongest and weakest in Prosperous Intelligence’s indices?
Relative to other countries, Malaysia is strongest on the Cost of Living Index (#8 of 200) and weakest on the Healthcare Index (#91 of 192).
How does Malaysia rank for quality of life?
Malaysia scores 69.6/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Quality of Life Index, ranking #83 of 211.
Is Malaysia expensive to live in?
Malaysia scores 90.3/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Cost of Living Index, ranking #8 of 200. This is the affordability-of-living-costs score: a higher score means lower prices.
How safe is Malaysia?
Malaysia scores 76.7/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Global Safety Index, ranking #75 of 203.
How does Malaysia rank for healthcare?
Malaysia scores 57.8/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Healthcare Index, ranking #91 of 192.
How does Malaysia rank for education?
Malaysia scores 66.3/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Education Index, ranking #82 of 191.
How does Malaysia rank on taxes?
Malaysia scores 89.1/100 on Prosperous Intelligence’s Tax Freedom Index, ranking #22 of 145. Detailed tax rates: Tax Freedom Index.
What the profile contains
- Key facts from government and international sources
- Scores and global ranks on 11 Prosperous Intelligence indices
- Entry rules, passport strength and residency programmes
Why the profile matters
- Compare one country across many criteria on a single page
- Not a substitute for legal, tax or investment advice
Method
- How each index is scored and weighted
- The limits of the data and how to check official sources
