Research & Analysis

Summary Malaysia’s economy closed 2025 on a strong note, with 4Q2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 6.3%, surpassing the advance estimate of 5.7% (3Q2025 actual: 5.4%). This lifted the full-year growth in 2025 to 5.2%, matching 2024’s pace (2024: 5.1%). Moving into 2026, economic momentum is underpinned by firmer external demand and steady private […]

Summary Malaysia ended 2025 on a strong footing, with its 4Q2025 gross domestic product (GDP) advance estimate rising by 5.7%, bringing full-year growth to an estimated 4.9%, above consensus expectations. Growth in 4Q2025 was broad-based, led by services (5.4%; 3Q2025: 5.0%) and manufacturing (6.0%; 3Q2025: 4.1%) due to strong external demand for electrical and electronic

Summary Malaysia’s external sector remains on a strong growth trajectory with exports growing at 7.0% in November (Oct: 15.7%). Growth was underpinned by resilient demand for electrical and electronic products (E&E) at 15.0% (Oct: 26.5%) as well as recovering petroleum exports. Performance with trading partners also remained robust, with shipments to China accelerating to 9.3%

Summary Malaysia’s full-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to reach the upper range of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) forecast (4.0%–4.8%), with the 3Q2025 GDP expanding by 5.2% (1H2025: 4.4%). The growth was supported by resilient private consumption and strong external demand. Exports sustained a double-digit growth in October at 15.7% (Sep: 12.2%), driven

Summary Malaysia’s advance estimates indicate stronger-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.2% in 3Q2025 (2Q2025: 4.4%), exceeding the market consensus of 4.2%. Services grew 5.1% (2Q2025: 5.1%) on resilient consumption, manufacturing accelerated to 4.0% (2Q2025: 3.7%), and mining rebounded sharply to 10.9% (2Q2025: –5.2%) on stronger oil and gas output. Construction remained robust, expanding

Summary August 2025 imports contracted due to a 5.9% decline, while exports grew modestly by 1.9% to RM131.6 billion (July: +6.5%, RM140.1 billion), led by electrical and electronics (E&E), machinery and equipment, optical and scientific instruments, and palm-based agricultural products. Manufacturing activity showed tentative improvement, with Malaysia’s seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to