Strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is a preferred gateway from the world to the rest of Asean, and vice versa. The country’s unique cultural diversity, lush landscapes and growing economy also means it is emerging as a prime destination for property investment.
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Kuala Lumpur, its bustling capital city, offers a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, coupled with an unexpectedly verdant environment – factors that make KL, as it’s popularly known as, an enriching and very livable city.
Let’s delve into some survey results and numerical rankings that underscore Malaysia’s appeal for potential homeowners, expatriates and property investors:
#1 Safest Places to Retire in Asia
Source: Nasdaq, July 2023
Malaysia tops the list of the 10 safest places to retire in Asia, as per Nasdaq’s analysis. This ranking takes into account the overall cost of living and global peace score taken from the Institute for Economics and Peace Global Peace Index 2022 report. The index measures the level of harmony or discord within a nation. With an average monthly living cost of slightly above US$1,000 and a commendable global peace index of 1.471, Malaysia emerges as a compelling choice for retirees seeking security and affordability in their golden years.
#3 Safe Haven in Asia
Source: Vision of Humanity, 2023
As the 19th most peaceful nation globally in the Global Peace Index 2023 and the 3rd in Asia, the ranking underscores Malaysia’s reputation as a safe haven in the region. Within the study, Malaysia excels in two domains: it ranks 5th in the Ongoing Conflict domain, alongside countries like Iceland and Singapore, and 2nd in the Militarisation domain, trailing closely behind Iceland. The nation’s peaceful co-existence and mutual respect among such diverse cultures and ethnic groups, all of which retain a strong sense of identity, is an achievement admired by the international community.
#8 Best Place in the World to Retire
Source: International Living, 2024
Malaysia shines as the sole Asian representative in the 2024 Annual Global Retirement Index, surpassing prominent nations like France, Italy and Thailand. The most in-depth survey of its kind based on a wide pool of opinions and on-the-ground, real-life experiences, International Living hails Malaysia as a “Southeast Asian gem”, blending affordability, cultural diversity, and breathtaking natural beauty. The country’s allure lies in its offering of first-world amenities at a one-third to one-fifth of average costs in the West, making it an irresistible prospect for those seeking a modern yet affordable lifestyle.
#2 Friendliest Country in Asia
Source: Insider Monkey, 2024
With a score of 2.20, Malaysia secures the 2nd spot in Asia and the 15th spot globally in the list of friendliest countries by financial website Insider Monkey. Only the United Arab Emirates rank ahead among Asian countries with a score of 2.52. Malaysia’s high visa acceptance rate have also garnered international acclaim and interest, also ranking 4th most welcoming country in terms of offering visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisation (ETA) entry. More importantly, visitors and expat communities in Malaysia have praised its people as the “most hospitable in Asia”, with a rare warmth and openness that is very welcoming.
#19 Spots Up on Global Liveability Index
Source: EdgeProp, June 2023
Kuala Lumpur has surged 19 positions to secure the 94th spot out of 173 cities on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index 2023. The report highlights the city’s remarkable recovery from the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Amidst cities in the Asia-Pacific region, who are shown to have rebounded the most, Kuala Lumpur’s rise in the rankings is attributed to its enhanced stability, healthcare, cultural richness, environmental quality, educational opportunities, and robust infrastructure.
Top #5 Investment Destinations in Asia
Source: Juwai, 2024
Malaysia is identified as one of the top five Asian investment destinations for 2024 by Asian and Chinese international property portal Juwai – particularly in the real estate sector. Noteworthy is Malaysia’s open policy towards foreign property ownership, with minimal restrictions and affordable tax. This accessibility, coupled with the availability of freehold property ownership for foreigners, including landed property, positions Malaysia as a particularly attractive choice for investors eyeing the Asian market. Additionally, the offering of visa programs such as Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) and the affordability of Kuala Lumpur’s real estate market are added points of attraction.
To summarise, the rankings above attest to Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia’s well-rounded advantages in terms of these factors:
1. Stability – safe and friendly, peaceful
2. Quality of living – multi-cultural, good infrastructure and nature-filled
3. Investment potential – Accessibility of property ownership for foreigners, stable and diversified economy.
4. Retirement haven – World-class offerings at a substantially lower cost of living
Offering a harmonious blend of affordability, urban development, cultural richness, and peaceful living, Kuala Lumpur especially stands as a testament to Malaysia’s promise as an investment hub in the heart of Asia.
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