KL, Selangor, Penang top the list for basic living expenditure

 

The highest mean monthly basic expenditure for food was recorded in Selangor (RM507), Johor (RM476) and Melaka (RM471).

PETALING JAYA: 

Households in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang spent the highest amount per person per month last year on “basic expenditure for decent living”, according to the statistics department.

A national average of RM1,314 a month was recorded for households in Malaysia according to the department’s report on 2023 cost of living indicators, released today. Food accounted for 35% of the amount, the department said.

The basic expenditure of decent living in urban areas was recorded at RM1,423 a month, while that for rural areas came to RM927. “The difference is influenced by the average household size – 3.7 persons in urban areas and 4 persons in rural areas.”

The top three states for the highest basic expenditure per person were Kuala Lumpur (RM1,755 a month), Selangor (RM1,630) and Penang (RM1,471) while the lowest expenditures were in Kelantan (RM1,018), Perlis (RM1,026) and Kedah (RM1,034).

The department said people in urban areas spent RM467 per person on food every month, compared to RM411 in rural households.

Selangor recorded the highest mean per capita expenditure for food at RM507 a month, followed by Johor (RM476) and Melaka (RM471), while the lowest figures were for Kelantan (RM388), Perlis (RM392) and Terengganu (RM403).

Non-food items made up 65% or RM859 of the total per capita monthly basic expenditure; in urban households, the figure was RM956 a month, and RM516 in rural households.

The highest per capita expenditure on non-food items was in Kuala Lumpur (RM1,288), Selangor (RM1,123) and Penang (RM1,013) while the lowest figures were for Kedah (RM625), Sarawak and Kelantan (both RM630).

“The expenditure on non-food items was also influenced by household size and the availability of goods and services in the location,” the report read.

Basic household expenditure per person as stated in the statistics deparment report.

MyPAKW app launched

Earlier today, the department released its report on the 2023 cost of living indicator containing 15 reports on the country and separate data for each state and federal territory. The launch coincided with the department’s diamond jubilee celebrations to mark its 75th anniversary.

The indicators featured in the report are data on the basic expenditure for decent living and the cost of living index.

The department also launched the MyPAKW app for mobile phones, which is a calculator to estimate total basic expenditure for a decent standard of living based on factors such as demographic, location, gender, age, and household size. The app allows people to determine a reference value for basic living expenses in their respective area and location.

Chief statistician, Uzir Mahidin, said the basic expenditure figures refer to monthly expenses required by households or individuals to meet three core aspects of a reasonable standard of living: needs, wants, and social participation. The value is determined by location and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and household size, he said.

Uzir said the cost of dining out was included in calculating the figures, which also took into account basic dietary needs for balanced nutrition, in line with health ministry standards. - FMT