Study: 67% of Malaysians Believe the Country’s Economy is Rigged to Benefit the Rich & Powerful

18 Dec 2025, 09:17 by Jamie · WORLD OF BUZZ

Ipsos, one of the world’s largest market research companies, recently published its latest study on what Malaysians think about the state of their country, which yielded some interesting findings.

Among others, the study found that 67% of Malaysians believe that the country’s economy is rigged to benefit the rich and powerful.

For illustration purposes

Ipsos study finds that 67% of Malaysians believe the country’s economy is rigged to advantage the elites

This is a 2% increase from when the survey was conducted in 2023, indicating a growing perception of inequality among citizens.

Meanwhile, 77% of Malaysians believe that the main divide in their society is between ordinary citizens and the elites, both political and economic; a 6% increase from two years ago. It’s also considerably higher than the global average, which is 68%.

60% of Malaysians disagree that the country is in decline

However, despite the two negative outlooks above, only 41% of Malaysians believe that their society is broken, much lower than the global average of 56% and a slight 3% decrease from 2023.

The percentage of Malaysians who believe that the country is in decline has also significantly decreased from 52% in 2023 to 40% this year. For comparison, the global average is 57%.

Besides that, the Ipsos study found that 48% of Malaysians believe that in order to fix their country, they need a strong leader willing to break the rules.

“Malaysia must prepare for potential disruptions and difficulties”

The study is based on a survey conducted between 21 February and 7 March 2025. A total of 23,228 people aged 16 to 74 across 31 countries were surveyed, including 500 adults aged 18 to 74 in Malaysia.

“As the world faces increasing uncertainties and new challenges, Malaysia, like other countries, must prepare for potential disruptions and difficulties.”

“Fostering social cohesion with effective leadership will be crucial in navigating these turbulent times and ensuring a stable future for all Malaysians,” stated Arun Menon, the Managing Director of Ipsos Malaysia.

So, what are your thoughts on the study? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Also read: Study: Only 19% of Malaysians Experience Daily Stress at Work, the 3rd Lowest in Southeast Asia

Source: butenkow | 123RF
Source: Ipsos
Source: Ipsos
Source: Ipsos