Penang among top spenders in Malaysia for decent living

Source: Department of Statistic, Malaysia

Households in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang spent the highest amount per person per month last year on “basic expenditure for decent living”, according to the statistics department.

A national average of RM1,314 a month was recorded for households in Malaysia according to the department’s report on 2023 cost of living indicators, released today. Food accounted for 35% of the amount, the department said.

The basic expenditure figure for urban areas was recorded at RM1,423 a month, while that for rural areas came to RM927. “The difference is influenced by the average household size – 3.7 persons in urban areas and 4 persons in rural areas.”

The top three states for the highest basic expenditure per person were Kuala Lumpur (RM1,755 a month), Selangor (RM1,630) and Penang (RM1,471) while the lowest expenditures were in Kelantan (RM1,018), Perlis (RM1,026) and Kedah (RM1,034).

The department said people in urban areas spent RM467 per person on food every month, compared to RM411 in rural households.

Selangor recorded the highest mean per capita expenditure for food at RM507 a month, followed by Johor (RM476) and Melaka (RM471), while the lowest figures were for Kelantan (RM388), Perlis (RM392) and Terengganu (RM403).

Non-food items made up 65% or RM859 of the total per capita monthly basic expenditure; in urban households, the figure was RM956 a month, and RM516 in rural households.

The highest per capita expenditure on non-food items was in Kuala Lumpur (RM1,288), Selangor (RM1,123) and Penang (RM1,013) while the lowest figures were for Kedah (RM625), Sarawak and Kelantan (both RM630).

“The expenditure on non-food items was also influenced by household size and the availability of goods and services in the location,” the report read.

Source: FMT Online