
Households, Demography & Public Wellbeing
Understanding demographic transitions, household dynamics, and wellbeing indicators to inform evidence-based policies for Malaysia's diverse population.

Malaysia's demographic landscape is undergoing significant transitions that shape social and economic futures. Our research examines rapid population aging and its implications for healthcare and pension systems, declining fertility rates and changing family structures, inter-ethnic relations and social cohesion mechanisms, healthcare access disparities between urban and rural areas, and education quality gaps affecting human capital development.
As Malaysia strives to enhance public wellbeing across all communities, we analyze household income patterns and cost of living pressures, mental health challenges and support systems, nutrition transitions and non-communicable disease burdens, social protection adequacy for vulnerable groups including B40 households, and mechanisms for promoting social mobility while preserving cultural diversity across Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities.
As Malaysia strives to enhance public wellbeing across all communities, we analyze household income patterns and cost of living pressures, mental health challenges and support systems, nutrition transitions and non-communicable disease burdens, social protection adequacy for vulnerable groups including B40 households, and mechanisms for promoting social mobility while preserving cultural diversity across Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities.
KRI shares insightful commentaries on current topics to encourage discussion, but these do not represent KRI's official views.

Views
Mar 2, 2026
When do Men Care? Insights on Care, Crisis and Masculinities during COVID-19
This article examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic led to lasting changes in men’s participation in unpaid care. While men’s involvement increased during the pandemic, the shift was largely temporary, with women continuing to bear the majority of care responsibilities. The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive care policies that promote men’s continuous involvement in care.

OP-ED.
Mar 2, 2026
When do Men Care? Insights on Care, Crisis and Masculinities during COVID-19
This article examines whether the COVID-19 pandemic led to lasting changes in men’s participation in unpaid care. While men’s involvement increased during the pandemic, the shift was largely temporary, with women continuing to bear the majority of care responsibilities. The findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive care policies that promote men’s continuous involvement in care.
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Views
Dec 29, 2025
The End of the American Deficit: Navigating the New Era of American Protectionism (Part 2)
Part 2: Building a New Architecture Explores the financial fragility of a world without a US deficit, urging Malaysia to pivot toward regional industrial integration and financial self-insurance to survive.
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OP-ED.
Dec 29, 2025
The End of the American Deficit: Navigating the New Era of American Protectionism (Part 2)
Part 2: Building a New Architecture Explores the financial fragility of a world without a US deficit, urging Malaysia to pivot toward regional industrial integration and financial self-insurance to survive.

Views
Dec 29, 2025
The End of the American Deficit: Navigating the New Era of American Protectionism (Part 1)
Part 1: The Crisis of the Export-Led Model Analyzes how US tariffs and the ART dismantle Malaysia's export-led model, arguing that new constraints on autonomy trap the nation behind a balance of payments wall.

OP-ED.
Dec 29, 2025
The End of the American Deficit: Navigating the New Era of American Protectionism (Part 1)
Part 1: The Crisis of the Export-Led Model Analyzes how US tariffs and the ART dismantle Malaysia's export-led model, arguing that new constraints on autonomy trap the nation behind a balance of payments wall.
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Views
Dec 19, 2025
Finding Meaning in Education: The Journey of Entrepreneurship, Learning, and Creativity
The article reflects on entrepreneurship, education, and creativity as journeys rather than destinations. It talks about the “Myth of Arrival,” emphasizing meaning over material success. True learning lies in transformation and creativity emerges from inner experience as a means of self -expression. Success is redefined as continual growth and imaginative exploration.
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OP-ED.
Dec 19, 2025
Finding Meaning in Education: The Journey of Entrepreneurship, Learning, and Creativity
The article reflects on entrepreneurship, education, and creativity as journeys rather than destinations. It talks about the “Myth of Arrival,” emphasizing meaning over material success. True learning lies in transformation and creativity emerges from inner experience as a means of self -expression. Success is redefined as continual growth and imaginative exploration.
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Discussion Papers
Working Papers
Demography
Financialisation & Indebtedness
Poverty & Social Mobility
Education
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Ageing, Fertility & Demographics
Income, & Consumption
Society
Taxation
Junianto James Losari
Eleanor Wikstrom
Dr Roza Hazli Zakaria
Stephanie Hsu
Tan Hui Hui
Kelvin Ling Shyan Seng
Khairin Ilaina Mohamed Amin
Govind Nirav Rao
C. Hari S. Shankar
Afifah Ahmad
Elisabeth Chan Wen Yi
Nurrdinan Serena Amer Sharaffudin
Nurhanina Zaharin
Dr Amirah 'Aisha Badrul Hisham
Nur Hannani Abd Ghafar
Tehleel Nazir
Yee Suet Ee
Balqis Athirah Azhar
Shukri Mohamed Khairi
Nurul Farhana Abdul Shukor
Aidil Farhan Jasrie Arman Sany
Amirah Syazwani Ahmad Junaidi
Dinie Joshry Shaqeel Prakash
Ts Dr Amirah Aisha Badrul Hisham
Professor Joseph Eugene Stiglitz
K. Kuhaneetha Bai
Nadia Malyanah Azman
Siti Maisarah Zainurin
Ndongo Samba Sylla
Malini Elango
Aqeel Khaldun
Belinda Liew Ai Ching
Muhammad Khairulamri Muhammad
Nicholas Khaw
Nur Zulaikha Atiqah Mohd Zahril
Dr Diana Abdul Wahab
Dr Umawathy Techanamurthy
Bryan Yeoh Quan Jin
Wan Manan Wan Muda
Alyssa Chua Lee-Yen
Goh Ming Jun
Mohan Mahadeva
Yap Chun Hao
Syafa Sakinah Mustaffa
Ammar Hanania Hazli Izma
Dr Yunus Yasin
Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir
Professor Emeritus Dr Tham Siew Yean
Datuk Hisham Hamdan
Khazanah Research Institute
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Tan Mei Yi
Emir Izat Abdul Rashid
Lim Han Hsuen
Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani Azmi
Musaddiq Adam Muhtar
Nur Adilah Hamid
Chakrin Utit
Bach Nguyen Luong
Zainab Ali Ahmad
Kusairi Mohd Noh
Rokiah Alavi
Ibrahim Kabiru Maji
Illisriyani Ismail
Intan Nadia Jalil
Abdulla Ibragimov
Siti Nooraznie Abdul Rahim
Fatimah Mohamed Arshad
Dr Mohd Yusof Saari
Pierre Sauvé
Tan Theng Theng
Charissa Lee Yi Zhen
Yap Gin Bee
Tan Kar Man
Junaidi Mansor
Alia Muhammad Radzi
Yeu-Mynn Yeung
Prof. Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda
Tan Zhai Gen
Umi Maisarah Kamis
Shukri Mohamed Khairi
Wong Ee Kin
Dr Wan Khatina Wan Nawawi
Maia Hollins-Kirk
Grace Loh Wan Chi
Keelea Shaye Linsuau Soh
Hui San Chiam
Goh Hao Yi
Daniel Filippi
Azlin Natasha Mohd Ghazali
Balqis Athirah Azhar
Dr Sarena Che Omar
Aqeel Khaldun (University of St Andrews)
Aidil Iman Aidid
Nurul Farhana Abdul Shukor
Nur Thuraya Sazali
Yugendran Rajaendran
Putera Daniel Hakeem
Siti Aiysyah Tumin
Laventhen Sivashanmugam
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Views
Mar 27, 2020
Coping with Covid-19: Distance Learning and the Digital Divide

OP-ED
Mar 27, 2020
Coping with Covid-19: Distance Learning and the Digital Divide
Digital Divide
Digital Transformation
Education
Rachel Gong
Mar 27, 2020
Mar 27, 2020
Views


Views
Mar 22, 2020
Covid-19 Control: Looking East Again


OP-ED
Mar 22, 2020
Covid-19 Control: Looking East Again
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Nazihah Muhamad Noor
Mar 22, 2020
Mar 22, 2020
Views


Views
Feb 29, 2020
Rethinking Malaysian Poverty and Inequality


OP-ED
Feb 29, 2020
Rethinking Malaysian Poverty and Inequality
Poverty & Social Mobility
Professor Emeritus Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram
Feb 29, 2020
Feb 29, 2020
Views


Views
Feb 13, 2020
Are Both the B40 and M40 ‘Poor’? Evidence from an Integrated Income-Expenditure Analysis


OP-ED
Feb 13, 2020
Are Both the B40 and M40 ‘Poor’? Evidence from an Integrated Income-Expenditure Analysis
Poverty & Social Mobility
Gregory Ho Wai Son
Feb 13, 2020
Feb 13, 2020
Views


Discussion Papers
Feb 7, 2020
Understanding School Feeding in Malaysia


OP-ED
Feb 7, 2020
Understanding School Feeding in Malaysia
Education
Jarud Romadan Khalidi
Feb 7, 2020
Feb 7, 2020
Discussion Papers


Views
Feb 6, 2020
Turning the Gaze to Top Incomes


OP-ED
Feb 6, 2020
Turning the Gaze to Top Incomes
Poverty & Social Mobility
Dr Christopher Choong Weng Wai
Feb 6, 2020
Feb 6, 2020
Views


Views
Feb 3, 2020
Free Breakfast Programme: Beyond Just an Eating Affair


OP-ED
Feb 3, 2020
Free Breakfast Programme: Beyond Just an Eating Affair
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Hawati Abdul Hamid
Feb 3, 2020
Feb 3, 2020
Views

Reports
Dec 1, 2019
Demarcating Households: An Integrated Income and Consumption Analysis

OP-ED
Dec 1, 2019
Demarcating Households: An Integrated Income and Consumption Analysis
Income, & Consumption
Hawati Abdul Hamid
Dec 1, 2019
Dec 1, 2019
Reports

Discussion Papers
Oct 18, 2019
Behind the Blackboard: How basic indicators mask gaps in quality of education

OP-ED
Oct 18, 2019
Behind the Blackboard: How basic indicators mask gaps in quality of education
Education
Tan Kar Man
Oct 18, 2019
Oct 18, 2019
Discussion Papers

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Interwoven Pathways: The Care and Career Conundrum in Women’s Empowerment
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