Malaysia: housing

Are house prices rising in Malaysia?

The Malaysian House Price Index was 234.7 points in the second quarter of 2026, 0.9% higher than a year earlier, according to preliminary NAPIC data. That is the slowest annual rise since 2022. The index fell 0.5% on the previous quarter.

The national average house price was RM506,317 a unit in the second quarter of 2026, down from RM508,923 in the first. The figures for the latest quarters are preliminary. Prices vary widely by state and by house type, which the report breaks down. NAPIC lists its reports on its house price index page.

Official sources: NAPIC: Malaysian House Price Index, Q1-Q2 2026 (PDF) · NAPIC: Malaysian House Price Index

What share of Malaysians own their home?

78.0% of households in Malaysia lived in homes they owned in 2024, up from 76.5% in 2022, according to the DOSM Basic Amenities Survey Report 2024. The shares of households renting and living in employer-provided or other quarters each fell slightly.

The figure counts households that own the dwelling they live in, including homes still being paid off with a loan. It comes from the household income and basic amenities survey, which also reports access to treated piped water: 97.2% of households in 2024.

Official sources: DOSM: Basic Amenities Survey Report, Malaysia, 2024

What help is there for first-time home buyers in Malaysia?

In the Budget 2027 speech, the government proposed a full stamp duty exemption on first homes priced up to RM500,000, and for homes up to RM750,000 a full exemption on the first RM500,000 and 50% on the rest, for agreements signed from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2030.

The speech also said the housing credit guarantee scheme SJKP will provide guarantees of up to RM20 billion for 80,000 first-time buyers, particularly self-employed people without fixed income. These are budget proposals announced in the speech; the conditions are set out in the budget documents.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget 2027 speech

What determines mortgage rates in Malaysia?

Variable-rate home loans in Malaysia are priced off banks' reference rates, which move with Bank Negara Malaysia's Overnight Policy Rate. The OPR is 2.75%, kept unchanged on 3 September 2026.

A borrower's rate is the bank's base rate plus a spread set in the loan contract, so a change in the OPR passes through to repayments. Bank Negara Malaysia publishes average lending rates in its monthly statistics. The OPR has not changed since July 2025, according to NAPIC's house price report.

Official sources: Bank Negara Malaysia: Monetary policy statement, 3 September 2026 · Bank Negara Malaysia

What is Malaysia's urbanisation rate?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in Malaysia was 77.4%, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 63.1%; Malaysia is 9th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 52nd of 193.

How many people in Malaysia live in slums?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Malaysia at 0.2% in 2020. It is 22nd highest of 25 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 5.6%. World rank, highest first: 128th of 156.

How many people in Malaysia have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in Malaysia was 100.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 100.0%; Malaysia is 1st highest of 30. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

How many people in Malaysia have clean water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Malaysia was 94.7% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 5th highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.9%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 45th highest.

What share of people in Malaysia have safe sanitation?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Malaysia was 85.8% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 60.5%; Malaysia is 6th highest of 21. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 41st highest.

What share of homes in Malaysia cook with clean fuels?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Malaysia at 100.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0%. Worldwide: 1st of 192.