Malaysia,
The Hidden Gem

Malaysia is ranked 10th in the Global Peace Index (GPI), making it the 10th most peaceful country in the world and the 3rd most peaceful in the Asia-Pacific region, behind only New Zealand and Singapore. The ranking reflects Malaysia’s political stability, low violent crime rate, minimal international conflict, and overall urban safety—of which Penang ranks the highest among Malaysian cities.

Malaysia offers a low cost of living along with high-quality healthcare and education. The country enjoys a pleasant climate with no major natural disasters and a relaxed pace of life. Its healthcare system is well-developed, and the education system is diverse, with numerous international schools and widespread English usage—making it ideal for raising children. As a multicultural society, Malays, Chinese, and Indians live together in harmony. The nation is socially stable, safe, and welcoming. In daily life, both English and Mandarin are widely spoken, ensuring smooth and easy communication.

Malaysia has become one of the top retirement destinations in the world, thanks to its low cost of living, high-quality healthcare, multicultural environment, and convenient residency policies.

For those seeking a comfortable, affordable, and culturally rich retirement lifestyle, Malaysia is undoubtedly a destination worth considering.

According to the InterNations 2023 Expat City Ranking, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, was ranked the No.1 city in the world out of 49 cities for retirement and relocation.

Expats praised Kuala Lumpur for its ease of settling in, affordable cost of living, friendliness of the local people, overall quality of life, and strong scores in personal finances and housing affordability.

Malaysia has been ranked as the second friendliest country in Asia for foreigners, just behind the United Arab Emirates (ranked 1st globally), and 15th in the world overall.

As a multicultural and multilingual nation, Malaysia’s long history of cultural coexistence has fostered a society that is generally accepting, respectful, and friendly toward people from diverse backgrounds.

Malaysia holds a relatively high position in Asia’s Democracy Index, reflecting its strengths in electoral processes and government functioning.

However, there is still room for improvement in areas such as civil liberties and political culture.

Malaysia offers a highly cost-effective and efficient healthcare system, ranking among the top globally in terms of medical efficiency and affordability. It is widely recognized as one of the best healthcare providers in Asia. The country operates a dual healthcare system comprising public and private sectors, with medical professionals who are generally fluent in English. In the 2025 Global Healthcare Index, Malaysia ranked 30th with a score of 70.3—higher than Canada (68.7) and China (68.7).

For retirees, Malaysia ranks first in the “Best Healthcare in the World” category of the Global Retirement Index, with an outstanding score of 95 out of 100, reflecting its exceptional care for the elderly and retired individuals.

Malaysia has long been recognized as one of the world’s top medical tourism destinations and has received multiple “Medical Travel Destination of the Year” awards from the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ).

Malaysia's average monthly net income is USD 936.78, ranking 54th globally—slightly higher than China (56th) and Thailand (76th).

Malaysia has a moderate average income, but a remarkably low cost of living—66% lower than Singapore, 59% lower than Hong Kong, and 25% lower than Bangkok.

The cost of living in Malaysia is cheaper than in 88% of countries worldwide, especially in housing and transportation. Inflation remains low, at just 1.4%.

This makes Malaysia an ideal place to live for expatriates and retirees.

Although Malaysia offers a variety of public transportation options—such as KTM (commuter trains), LRT (Light Rail Transit), MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), Monorail, Rapid Bus, GoKL City Bus (free city buses in Kuala Lumpur), and MRT feeder buses—Malaysians still prefer to drive. It is common for a single household to own three or four cars, contributing to serious traffic congestion in major cities.

This is especially evident in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, as well as in Selangor and Seberang Perai (mainland Penang), where driving can be a daily nightmare.

In 2024, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) was ranked the world’s 2nd most connected airport by OAG, just after London Heathrow. With over 33,000 possible flight connections, KLIA plays a key role in global air travel.

Its strong connectivity—both internationally and to local transport networks—makes KLIA a top choice for travelers, businesses, and logistics alike.

Malaysia ranks 26th out of 116 non-native English-speaking countries in the Global English Proficiency Index.

In Asia, it holds the 3rd position, behind only Singapore and the Philippines.

According to UNESCO data, Malaysia is the 11th most popular destination for international school students, accounting for approximately 2% of the global international student population.

In Educations.com's 2025 ranking of the "Top 10 Study Destinations in Asia," Malaysia ranked 10th. Globally, it placed 37th among all study-abroad destinations.

Malaysia has a risk index of 0.83%, indicating an extremely low risk of natural disasters.

The country is free from major natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, tornadoes, and typhoons, earning it the 7th spot in the Global Safety Index.

According to the European Union’s INFORM Risk Index, Malaysia has strong capabilities in managing humanitarian crises and natural disasters.

Malaysia is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Asia for expatriates. 
According to the William Russell 2025 Global Safety for Expats Report, Malaysia ranks among the Top 10 Safest Countries for foreigners to live and work—ahead of nations like the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea reflecting its low crime rates, political stability, and welcoming environment.

Malaysia is known as Asia’s food paradise, offering one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse and distinctive cuisines. It blends Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Nyonya influences into a rich, flavorful culinary experience.

Affordable, varied, and deeply cultural, Malaysian food—from street stalls to fine dining—tells a story in every bite. It’s a true feast of flavors waiting to be explored.

According to data from Numbeo, Malaysia performs exceptionally well in terms of the house price-to-income ratio, ranking among the top 25 countries worldwide. It is recognized as one of the best countries for property investment, offering high-quality homes at significantly lower prices compared to many other countries. This affordability has attracted a large number of expatriates and retirees to purchase homes and settle in Malaysia.