PETALING JAYA, January 11 — A recent Ipsos global survey reveals that most Malaysians anticipate higher taxes, rising prices, and increased inflation in 2025. Of the 1,000 respondents, 85% expect prices to outpace income growth, while 80% foresee higher taxes compared to 2024. Additionally, 76% predict an uptick in inflation, aligning with Bank Negara Malaysia’s projection of a 2% to 3.5% average inflation rate after the introduction of targeted fuel subsidies and expanded SST measures.
The survey also found that 79% of Malaysians believe interest rates will climb, and 77% expect higher unemployment this year. While 73% fear job losses due to artificial intelligence, 65% are optimistic about AI creating new employment opportunities. Globally, Malaysians showed greater optimism about the resolution of conflicts in Ukraine (48%) and the Middle East (42%) than the international averages of 27% and 22%, respectively.
