October 13, 2025 2:36AM

Vodus Consumer Sentiment Study 2025: How Malaysians Feel About Their Finances

Malaysians are experiencing a period of cautious adjustment as financial and lifestyle priorities evolve in response to changing economic conditions. Concerns over inflation, cost of living, and employment stability continue to influence how people plan, spend, and save, while personal well-being and family health remain equally important considerations in daily decision-making. 

The Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report provides an in-depth view of how Malaysians feel about their financial situation, outlook, and the factors shaping their confidence. The findings highlight how consumers are balancing immediate economic pressures with long-term aspirations for stability and quality of life. 

Understanding these sentiments offers valuable guidance for policymakers, businesses, and financial institutions aiming to support Malaysian households in navigating uncertainty and strengthening financial resilience. 

Key Financial and Non-Financial Concerns 

The economy, health, and happiness remain the top concerns among Malaysians in 2025, reflecting a continued balance between financial security and personal well-being. 

The economy stands as the most pressing concern, with 38% of Malaysians identifying it as their top worry, an increase of 7% as compared to 2024. Concern about the struggling economy is especially high among Malay respondents, large households, and those earning between RM1,500 and RM3,000 monthly. These groups appear more vulnerable to ongoing financial pressures such as cost-of-living increases and job market uncertainty. 

Staying healthy and happy remains a key focus, cited by 14% of Malaysians, up 2% from 2024. This concern is most pronounced among Chinese respondents, Baby Boomers aged 55 and above, and residents of the Central Region, indicating growing awareness of physical and emotional well-being as part of overall quality of life. 

Meanwhile, 11% of Malaysians cite their family’s health and happiness as a top concern, a sentiment more common among older respondents aged 55 and above. 

In contrast, issues such as inflation, political instability, unemployment, and climate change have seen slight declines compared to the previous year. This suggests that while Malaysians continue to face a wide range of challenges, their worries are becoming more concentrated around two central themes: economic stability and personal well-being. 

Demographic patterns also continue to shape sentiment. Younger Malaysians aged 18 to 24, those in lower income brackets, and Malay respondents report stronger anxiety around employment and job security. Women tend to emphasise health and household well-being, while men are more concerned with job stability, inflation, and political issues. 

Overall, Malaysians in 2025 appear to be narrowing their focus toward immediate financial realities and maintaining personal and family wellness, reflecting a practical outlook shaped by both economic and lifestyle considerations. 

To explore the full breakdown of consumer priorities across income groups, regions, and demographics, download the Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report

Impact of Inflation and Economic Uncertainty 

Economic concerns have deepened among Malaysians, with rising living costs and persistent inflation continuing to influence financial confidence and daily decision-making. 

The Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report reveals that over half of Malaysians feel better about their current financial situation compared to a year ago, and almost half of them describe themselves as more financially stable. However, two in five Malaysians report that their financial situation has declined, citing money-related pressures and a weak economy as the main reasons. 

Among those who do not feel better off, job security and family health remain greater concerns than lifestyle or social limitations, suggesting that economic strain is linked to practical, stability-related issues rather than changes in consumption patterns. 

The findings also highlight how priorities differ between those who feel better off and those who feel worse off as compared to last year. 

For Malaysians who feel financially better off, key concerns have shifted from personal well-being to national economic issues. In 2024, their top worries were family health and happiness, staying healthy and happy, and inflation. In 2025, these changed to the economy not doing well, staying healthy and happy, and family health and happiness, showing that even financially comfortable Malaysians are increasingly cautious about the broader economic outlook. 

Among those who feel financially worse off, priorities remain focused on day-to-day financial pressures. In 2024, top concerns included family health and happiness, financial difficulties, and inflation. By 2025, the economy not doing well rose to the top, followed by financial issues and family health and happiness. 

These shifts indicate that while many Malaysians remain resilient, anxiety about the national economy has become a common thread across income levels. Financial stability is no longer viewed purely as a matter of personal management but as something deeply connected to the country’s wider economic performance. 

For detailed insights into how inflation and economic uncertainty affect different segments of Malaysians, download the Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report . 

What Priorities Reveal About Consumer Confidence 

Findings from the Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report show that Malaysians are approaching their finances with cautious optimism. While many feel better or more stable than a year ago, lingering concerns about the economy and job security continue to weigh on overall confidence. Consumers are managing their finances carefully, staying alert to changes in the economic environment. 

The rise in Malaysians who describe their situation as “no change but worried” reflects this growing sense of caution. Many feel personally stable but remain uneasy about inflation and the broader economy. This mix of confidence and concern suggests that Malaysians are steady for now but uncertain about what lies ahead. 

The shift in priorities further reveals how Malaysians are adjusting their outlook. Family and personal well-being remain important, yet the economy has become a central focus, shaping financial decisions. Even those who feel financially better off are paying closer attention to national and global trends, showing a stronger awareness of risk and the need for preparedness. 

Overall, Malaysians are adapting to uncertainty with a practical approach. Their focus is on protecting financial stability, managing everyday expenses wisely, and preparing for future challenges. This careful and balanced mindset reflects a population that is realistic about short-term pressures while still hopeful about long-term progress. 

Conclusion 

Malaysians are managing their financial concerns with care and consideration. While many continue to demonstrate resilience and a positive outlook on their personal finances, uncertainty surrounding the national economy and cost of living remains a consistent source of concern. The balance between optimism and caution reflects a population that is both adaptive and realistic about the challenges ahead. 

Understanding these priorities is essential for policymakers, businesses, and financial institutions seeking to engage meaningfully with consumers. By aligning initiatives with the needs and concerns identified in the Financial Resilience and Investment Behaviour: Understanding Malaysian Consumer Concerns, Habits, and Vulnerabilities Report, stakeholders can play a key role in strengthening financial confidence, supporting informed decision-making, and helping Malaysians build long-term financial resilience. 

Research Methodology 

The findings in this report are based on data from the Vodus Consumer Sentiment Study 2025, conducted using an online quantitative methodology among 10,673 Malaysian adults. The sample was stratified to mirror the Malaysian population census, ensuring representation across key demographics and regions, including both Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). 

Data collection was carried out through the Vodus Media Network, which includes major partner platforms such as Astro and Media Prima, providing extensive reach across diverse audience segments. The survey employed Vodus (OMTOS) survey method, a low disruption approach designed to capture authentic, unbiased responses from respondents within their natural online browsing environment.