Economic History Malaysia

Chronicling Themes in the Economic and Social History of Malaysia

This book comprises 35 fascinating chapters by highly distinguished Malaysian and international scholars, edited and with an Introduction by Sultan Nazrin Shah. The chapters cover multicultural and multiethnic Malaysia’s volatile and intriguing past as it transformed itself from a low- to an almost-high-income economy.

Sultan Nazrin Shah (ed.) (2026)

Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration

This book analyses the ebbs and flows of globalization on natural resource-rich Perak over two centuries. It brings together interconnected sub-themes: the institutional legacy of colonialism, the increasing centralization of federalism, economic agglomeration, and migration.

Sultan Nazrin Shah (2024)

Striving for Inclusive Development: From Pangkor to a Modern Malaysian State

This book, which traces the evolution of what is now Malaysia from a far-flung colonial trading outpost at the time of the Pangkor Engagement in 1874 to a modern, diversified economy, is divided into five parts, in 10 chapters, which chronicle the events and the transformations—as well as the people—that marked this journey.

Sultan Nazrin Shah (2019)

Charting the Economy: Early 20th Century Malaya and Contemporary Malaysian Contrasts

This book charts the course of Malaya’s commodity-dependent economy during the first 40 years of the 20th century while under British colonial control, contrasting that course with the economic growth and development in contemporary Malaysia.

Sultan Nazrin Shah (2017)

Announcements

Videos

Highlights of Launch of Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration

(2.59 mins)

Launch of Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration

(11.29 mins)

Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration

(5.26 mins)

Archive Documents and Historical Publications

Archive Documents

British Colonial documents covering Malayan States,Straits Settlements, North Borneo, and Sarawak

Historical Publications

Late 19th to mid-20th century books on Malayan States, Straits Settlements, North Borneo, and Sarawak

Archive Photos and Historical Maps

Photos

Maps

About HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah

About HRH

"Globalization has brought immense benefits: higher incomes; reduced poverty; and narrowed gaps between countries.

But these benefits have not been evenly distributed. Within nations it has been a different story – one of winners and losers.

Some people – often those in struggling regions, in lower-skilled jobs – have lost out. While others, especially the highly educated and those working in thriving global cities such as here in Singapore, London, or New York, reap the rewards."

International Conference on Cohesive Societies, Singapore, June 2025

"We must be clear that a nation’s development is linked not only to how much money we have, or to how many modern buildings and highways we can construct.

There are countries with the finest state-of-the-art buildings that money can buy, yet where unemployment and poverty – in the sense of economic as well as spiritual poverty – are still widespread. True development, rather, entails holistic progress in all areas, and must include its non-material elements and inner dimensions."

IKIM International Forum on the Royal Professor Ungku A. Aziz, December 2022

“Transitioning to a better world … It must be made real. In order to get there, policies and incentives must be adapted to ensure that growth continues, but in a way that is sustainable and inclusive.

Economic growth is necessary, especially for those poorer countries which desperately need to catch up. But it must be achieved in a way that stays within our existing planetary boundaries.”

Transitioning to a Better World: CIMB Cooler Earth Sustainability Summit, September 2022

“The task of a historian—it is often said—is not to judge but to explain. History is complex. It is long, winding, and ever changing, filled with countless perspectives and opinions. Indeed, young historians could spend their whole life ‘looking down’ when they do research, and by the time they look up they would be as old as Malaysia itself.”

Launch of Striving for Inclusive Development, July 2019

Charts in Focus

GDP and GDP per capita

Poverty

Income distribution

Inequality

Gross Domestic Product Malaysia, 1970–2024

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy portal, Socioeconomic Statistics, National Accounts, https://ekonomi.gov.my/en

GDP per capita Malaysia, 1970–2024

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy portal, Socioeconomic Statistics, National Accounts, https://ekonomi.gov.my/en

GDP per capita by state in Malaysia, 1970–2024

Notes:

Labuan data before 2005 are included in Sabah, data for Kuala Lumpur started at 1980,

Putrajaya data are included into Kuala Lumpur data.

Data for 1970 and 1975 are in 1970 prices.

Data for 1980 and 1985 are in 1978 prices.

Data for 1990 and 1995 are in 1987 prices.

Data for 2000 to 2024 are in current prices.

Source of data:

For data 1970–2000: Malaysia 5-year Plan Document (various years), Ministry of Economy.
For data 2005–2024: Department of Statistics–Malaysia, National Account Reports (various issue).

Spectacular declines in poverty over the past 54 years have benefited all of Malaysia’s communities

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

Data for 1970 relate to Peninsular Malaysia.

Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

The methodology for calculating Malaysia’s poverty line income was revised in 1977, 2005, and 2019.

In 2024, poverty rates were still above 10% in Sabah and Kelantan: highest in rural areas

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

^adata are for 1976.

Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

The methodology for calculating Malaysia’s poverty line income was revised in 1977, 2005, and 2019.

In 2024, proportion of households living in poverty least in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang

Source of data:

Department of Statistics–Malaysia.

In 2024, districts with poverty levels above 22% mainly in Sabah

Source of data:

Department of Statistics–Malaysia.

Income share of bottom 40% of Malaysia’s households has increased over time, but it still accounts for just 16%

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

Data for 1974 relate to Peninsular Malaysia.
Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

Median monthly income of Malaysian households has risen 16–fold since 1979, and all communities have benefited

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

Data for 1970 and 1974 relate to Peninsular Malaysia.
Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

Median monthly income of Malaysian households has risen in all states since 1979: least in Kelantan, Kedah, Perak, and Sabah

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my

Income inequality within each of Malaysia’s communities has narrowed over time: now highest within Chinese community

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

Data for 1970 and 1974 relate to Peninsular Malaysia.
Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

Data are based on Gross Household Income.

Income inequality tends to be highest in the most and least prosperous Malaysian states, and is greater in urban areas than in rural areas

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my/en

Notes:

Data for 1974 relate to Peninsular Malaysia.
Starting 1989, data are for Malaysian citizens.

Data are based on Gross Household Income.

Inequality has improved as household income increased

Source of data:

Ministry of Economy–Malaysia, https://www.ekonomi.gov.my