Malaysia’s MPI improved to 0.0025 in 2024, driven by gains in health, education and living standards, though a rural-urban gap persists.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s national Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) has declined from 0.0037 in 2022 to 0.0025 in 2024.

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) stated this signals continued improvement in overall multidimensional well-being.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the lower index value indicates multidimensional poverty has become less severe.

“This is supported by a reduction in overlapping deprivations experienced by households,” he said in a statement.

The MPI measures poverty through a non-financial framework encompassing education, health and living standards.

It uses three dimensions and 10 indicators based on guidelines from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

Multidimensional poverty in urban areas remained very low, recorded at 0.0001 in both 2022 and 2024.

Rural areas saw improvement, with the MPI declining from 0.0164 in 2022 to 0.0109 in 2024.

Deprivation related to years of schooling declined from 0.0003 in 2022 to 0.0001 in 2024.

Access to healthcare services also improved, falling from 0.0013 in 2022 to 0.0009 in 2024.

Access to clean water supply decreased from 0.0014 to 0.0010 over the same period.

Most living standard indicators recorded stable or improving trends, according to the data.

Access to waste collection services improved from 0.0004 in 2022 to 0.0003 in 2024.

Internationally, Malaysia’s 2024 MPI of 0.0025 compares to Thailand’s 0.0018 in 2022.

Viet Nam, Indonesia and the Philippines recorded higher MPI scores in their latest surveys.

Mohd Uzir emphasised the lower score signals tangible progress in addressing non-financial poverty.

“Moving forward, strengthening access to clean water and healthcare services remains essential,” he said.

He added that sustained improvements in basic living standards are needed for inclusive development.

DOSM is concurrently conducting the Economic Census 2026 to collect comprehensive business data.

The census, themed “Data Nadi Ekonomi Rakyat”, runs from January 5 to October 31, 2026.

 The Sun Malaysia