PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian households spent an average of RM5,566 per month in 2024, marking a 3.9% increase from 2022, according to the latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2024.
While income remained the primary source of expenditure, some households also relied on non-cash government assistance and self-produced goods to supplement their spending, the report said.
Housing, utilities and related expenses continued to take up the largest share of household budgets at 23.5%, followed by spending on restaurants and accommodation services (17.0%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (15.7%), and transport (11.0%).
The notable increase in spending on restaurants and hotels, of up to 17%, signals a growing trend among Malaysians to dine out more frequently, while spending on food consumed at home recorded a slight decline.
To provide better insights into these trends, the Malaysia Statistics Department (DOSM) has developed a comprehensive dashboard that integrates data on income, expenditure, poverty, and inequality, the report reads.
The platform, which features geospatial analytics, aims to support evidence-based policymaking and inclusive national development.
The public can also access OpenDOSM NextGen, an open-data platform offering interactive visualisations and data catalogues to support further analysis. The platform is available at https://open.dosm.gov.my.
