Total household debt in Malaysia

THE household debt to gross domestic product in Malaysia had fallen slightly to 83% in 2018, thanks to the growth in the economy which was faster than debt. 

Bank Negara’s report showed the country’s household debt stood at RM1.18 trillion in 2018, of which residential housing loans accounted for 53.2% or RM628bil of total household debts while the remaining 46.8% were for personal consumption including motor vehicles, credit card and personal finance.

The central bank had warned that there was a growing number of defaults in personal financing. It highlighted that half of total outstanding personal financing was held by borrowers with monthly earnings below RM5,000 and they mainly used it to support “lifestyle choices”.