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Malaysia

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Malaysia
Published: 2026

Region: Southeast Asia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Density: 100 / km²

WRI Score 2026

71.5

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 61st
In Asia: 8th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 30%· KPMG / EY
40.6
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 100 / km²· UN WPP
58.0
Moderate population density.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $14,762· IMF WEO 2026
51.6
Below-average per-capita output.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 76.8 years· WHO / UN
67.5
Moderate life expectancy relative to peers.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.8 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
74.1
Moderate tourism activity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 3.3%· ILO / SECO
94.4
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 1% of GDP· SIPRI
94.8
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
69.1
Moderate safety and rule-of-law composite.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Malaysia holds 61st of 211 with a WRI Score of 71.50 — holds a comfortable position in the upper half. Its strength lies in ideological neutrality (96) and military posture (94.8); its tax treatment remains a moderate constraint.