
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.

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May 25, 2026
NEXUS Survey Preliminary Findings: Vulnerabilities and Needs within the Night Market Ecosystem
Malaysia’s night market ecosystem faces persistent vulnerabilities, with low social protection uptake, rising economic pressures, and shifting consumer trends.

OP-ED.
May 25, 2026
NEXUS Survey Preliminary Findings: Vulnerabilities and Needs within the Night Market Ecosystem
Malaysia’s night market ecosystem faces persistent vulnerabilities, with low social protection uptake, rising economic pressures, and shifting consumer trends.

Views
May 15, 2026
Possible Losses From Lowering The School Entry Age
Using Malaysian census data, the paper shows earlier school entry may reduce educational attainment and high-skilled employment prospects. Disadvantages are concentrated among lower-income children, potentially widening inequality under optional enrolment policies.

OP-ED.
May 15, 2026
Possible Losses From Lowering The School Entry Age
Using Malaysian census data, the paper shows earlier school entry may reduce educational attainment and high-skilled employment prospects. Disadvantages are concentrated among lower-income children, potentially widening inequality under optional enrolment policies.
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Views
Mar 28, 2026
Artificial Intelligence, Education, and the Transformation of Learning
Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, questioning its impact on critical thinking, skill development, and self-discovery, while arguing for balanced use of technology to preserve meaningful human learning.
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OP-ED.
Mar 28, 2026
Artificial Intelligence, Education, and the Transformation of Learning
Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, questioning its impact on critical thinking, skill development, and self-discovery, while arguing for balanced use of technology to preserve meaningful human learning.

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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Book
Policy Briefs
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Data Sets
Data Visualisations
Reports
Discussion Papers
Working Papers
Demography
Financialisation & Indebtedness
Poverty & Social Mobility
Education
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Ageing, Fertility & Demographics
Income, & Consumption
Society
Taxation
Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan Alshari
Maryam Halim
Richard Kozul-Wright
Carol Fong
YB Liew Chin Tong
Ahmad Azeem Bin Yusri
Ayesha Ashraf Khan
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
Amira 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)
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Views
Aug 4, 2025
Choice of Education: Standardisation versus Individuality


OP-ED
Aug 4, 2025
Choice of Education: Standardisation versus Individuality
Education
Dr Yunus Yasin
Aug 4, 2025
Aug 4, 2025
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Views
Jul 28, 2025
Fiscal Reforms and the 13th Malaysia Plan
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OP-ED
Jul 28, 2025
Fiscal Reforms and the 13th Malaysia Plan
Public Finance & Fiscal Reform
Financialisation & Indebtedness
Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
Views


Views
Jul 8, 2025
Beyond the SST: Rethinking Malaysia’s Fruit Supply Strategy


OP-ED
Jul 8, 2025
Beyond the SST: Rethinking Malaysia’s Fruit Supply Strategy
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Teoh Ai Ni
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Views


Views
Apr 11, 2025
Vertical Schools in Malaysia: What to Consider


OP-ED
Apr 11, 2025
Vertical Schools in Malaysia: What to Consider
Education
Nur Sofea Hasmira Azahar
Apr 11, 2025
Apr 11, 2025
Views


Views
Mar 26, 2025
Regulating 'Buy Now, Pay Later': Global Approaches and Malaysia's Path Forward


OP-ED
Mar 26, 2025
Regulating 'Buy Now, Pay Later': Global Approaches and Malaysia's Path Forward
Financialisation & Indebtedness
Shereen Hazirah Hishamudin
Mar 26, 2025
Mar 26, 2025
Views
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Views
Mar 13, 2025
From Home Cooking to Eating Out – Part II: Potential Cost-of-living and Health Trade-offs
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OP-ED
Mar 13, 2025
From Home Cooking to Eating Out – Part II: Potential Cost-of-living and Health Trade-offs
Food Systems & Smallholders
Agro-industrial Crops Management
Society
Health, Nutrition & Public Health
Teoh Ai Ni
Mar 13, 2025
Mar 13, 2025
Views


Views
Dec 31, 2024
Rethinking ‘Who’s Rich?’ in Malaysia – Part 2: Some considerations


OP-ED
Dec 31, 2024
Rethinking ‘Who’s Rich?’ in Malaysia – Part 2: Some considerations
Income, & Consumption
Gregory Ho Wai Son
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2024
Views


Working Papers
Dec 30, 2024
Searching for the ‘Poor’ and the ‘Middle-Class’ in Malaysia


OP-ED
Dec 30, 2024
Searching for the ‘Poor’ and the ‘Middle-Class’ in Malaysia
Demography
Economic Growth & Structure
Income, & Consumption
Gregory Ho Wai Son
Dec 30, 2024
Dec 30, 2024
Working Papers


Views
Dec 26, 2024
Affordable Housing or Affordable Debt?


OP-ED
Dec 26, 2024
Affordable Housing or Affordable Debt?
Financialisation & Indebtedness
Theebalakshmi Kunasekaran
Dec 26, 2024
Dec 26, 2024
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