Malaysia expects growth above 5 per cent for third straight year
Preliminary estimates point to 5.3 per cent growth in the third quarter of 2026, with the Statistics Department due to announce the figures on Nov 18.
Malaysia’s economy is expected to expand by more than 5 per cent in 2026, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said, potentially extending its run of growth above that level to three years.
Amir Hamzah cited preliminary Statistics Department estimates showing expected third-quarter growth of 5.3 per cent. The department is scheduled to announce the quarterly GDP figures on Nov 18. Growth over the first nine months of 2026 has been reported at 5.5 per cent.
GDP expanded by 5.1 per cent in 2024 and 5.2 per cent in 2025, he said. Speaking to reporters at the Finance Run 2026 event in Putrajaya, he said economic performance had maintained its momentum.
The minister attributed the performance to government efforts under the Madani Economic framework. He said further economic development would create better domestic opportunities, including higher-quality jobs, while giving the government greater scope to spread the benefits of growth.
He said Budget 2027 emphasises higher incomes through measures including a higher minimum wage and encouraging government-linked investment companies and government-linked companies to provide fairer pay.
Acknowledging that growth would not directly benefit everyone, Amir Hamzah said targeted support through Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah would be strengthened. He added that efforts under Payung Rahmah had been intensified to address cost-of-living pressures.
