KUALA LUMPUR – A recent Ipsos poll reveals that Malaysians are more optimistic than the global average about their prospects for 2025. 81% of local respondents believe the new year will bring improvement, compared to 71% globally. Despite rising taxes and inflation, Malaysians are hopeful, with many confident that the global economy will strengthen and artificial intelligence (AI) will create new jobs.

Ipsos Malaysia's interim country manager, Evelyn Tan, noted that while optimism is high, Malaysians are also aware of the challenges ahead. Two-thirds of respondents believe AI will generate job opportunities, surpassing the global average.

However, there's a sense of concern about the economy, with 80% expecting higher taxes in 2025, up from 74% in 2023. Expectations of inflation also increased to 76%, up from 70% last year.

While 55% of Malaysians rated 2024 as a bad year, down from 59% in 2023, this is still better than the global average, where 65% felt the same. South Korea had the highest percentage, with 80% calling 2024 a bad year.

The study surveyed 23,721 adults across 33 countries between October 25 and November 8, 2024.