Malaysia’s most comprehensive financial behaviour study returns for its eighth year, ready to capture how digital banking and economic recovery are reshaping household finances.

The RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey (RMFLS) launches its 2025 edition at the end of this month, continuing its role as Malaysia’s definitive tracker of consumer financial behaviour. Since 2018, this annual study has documented how Malaysians save, spend, and invest their money, providing insights that shape financial education nationwide.

From Crisis Response to Digital Transformation

The pandemic fundamentally changed Malaysian financial priorities. RMFLS captured this shift in real-time: In 2020, 27% of respondents began building emergency funds for the first time. By 2021, emergency savings had become the top financial priority for 63% of Malaysians.

Economic pressures proved persistent despite this awareness. The 2022 survey revealed concerning trends, with 70% of Malaysians saving less than RM500 monthly – the highest proportion of low savers since the survey began. That figure remained stubbornly high at 71% in 2023, reflecting ongoing household financial stress.

Signs of recovery emerged in 2024. Last year’s findings showed improvements in savings rates and stronger financial resilience, suggesting more Malaysians were regaining control over their finances and planning more effectively for the future.

Digital Finance Takes Centre Stage

RMFLS 2025 focuses heavily on Malaysia’s rapid shift to digital financial services. The 2024 survey found that 95% of respondents use at least one e-wallet, whilst 45% have opened digital bank accounts. This year’s study expands coverage of digital behaviours, including the growing popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services and AI-powered budgeting applications.

These digital tools are reshaping fundamental money management habits. Understanding how Malaysians navigate this new landscape is essential for financial institutions, policymakers, and consumers themselves.

RMFLS – Real Data for Real Decisions

RMFLS has become the go-to resource for understanding Malaysian financial behaviour. Unlike commercial studies that focus on specific products or demographics, this survey provides comprehensive insights into how ordinary Malaysians manage their money across all income levels and life stages.

The survey’s findings influence financial education programmes, guide product development at banks and fintech companies, and inform government policy discussions around household financial resilience. Each year’s results are published freely, ensuring broad access to actionable insights.

Building Financial Confidence Through Knowledge

The 2025 edition arrives at a critical time for Malaysian households. With inflation pressures, evolving employment patterns, and rapid digitalisation of financial services, understanding current financial behaviours will help identify both opportunities and risks facing consumers.

This year’s survey benefits from continued partnership with the Financial Education Network (FEN), ensuring findings reach educators, policymakers, and community organisations working to improve financial literacy across Malaysia.

Digital Banking Partner: KAF Digital Bank

KAF Digital Bank operates as Malaysia’s fully digital Islamic bank, delivering Shariah-compliant banking through your mobile phone. Licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia and led by KAF Investment Bank, the platform eliminates traditional branch visits entirely.

Customers can open savings accounts within minutes using the mobile app, completing the entire process with just their MyKad and a selfie. The digital experience includes virtual debit cards for immediate online spending, DuitNow QR payments for seamless transactions, instant transaction alerts, and customer support via chat and phone.

The bank’s competitive edge lies in combining Islamic banking principles with modern digital convenience. Account holders earn competitive returns on their savings whilst ensuring all transactions comply with Shariah requirements. This approach makes Islamic banking accessible to Malaysians who prefer managing finances on their smartphones without compromising on religious compliance or convenience standards for modern banking.

For more information, visit KAF Digital Bank.

CSR Partner: CIMB Foundation

CIMB Foundation has deployed over RM195 million across 1,380 community projects since 2007, reaching more than one million people across CIMB Group’s markets. As the philanthropic arm of CIMB Group, the foundation concentrates on sustainable community development rather than one-off charitable activities.

The foundation operates through four focused areas: Health & Community Well-being, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Climate & Environment. These programmes align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring long-term impact for communities across Malaysia and the region through carefully planned initiatives.

Recent initiatives include financial literacy workshops for B40 families, digital skills training for rural communities, and microfinance support for women entrepreneurs. The foundation’s education programmes have established learning centres in underserved areas and provided scholarships for tertiary education, particularly targeting students from low-income households who need comprehensive educational support and financial assistance.

For more information, visit CIMB Foundation.

Credit Health Partner: Experian

Experian Information Services (Malaysia) holds official licensing as a Credit Reporting Agency under Malaysia’s Credit Reporting Agencies Act 2010. The company provides Malaysians with essential credit monitoring tools, including detailed credit reports, credit scores, and ongoing credit profile monitoring services.

These services help consumers understand their borrowing capacity, identify potential credit issues before they become serious problems, and make informed decisions about loans and credit applications. Experian’s tools are particularly valuable for Malaysians building or rebuilding their credit profiles after financial setbacks or for young adults establishing their first credit history.

The platform offers credit reports and premium monitoring services that alert users to changes in their credit files immediately. This early warning system helps detect identity theft, unauthorised credit applications, and reporting errors that could affect future loan approvals. Experian also provides comprehensive educational resources explaining credit score fundamentals and improvement strategies.

For more information, visit Experian Malaysia.

RMFLS 2025 – What’s Next?

The complete RMFLS 2025 findings will be published on 1 October 2025. Our comprehensive report will reveal how Malaysians are adapting their financial strategies in response to economic recovery.

Visit the RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey 2025 page to download this year’s report.

The Financial Education Network (FEN) and our partner organisations make this research possible. Their support ensures RMFLS remains independent and accessible, providing data that drives real improvements in financial education across Malaysia.

For the latest updates on survey progress and preliminary insights, follow RinggitPlus across our social media channels and website. The complete 2025 findings will be published free of charge, continuing our commitment to transparency and public access to financial literacy research.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for updates on RMFLS 2025 and more insights to help you stay financially informed.

• TAGS:
• CIMB Foundation
• Experian
• KAF Digital Bank
• RMFLS
• RMFLS 2025