Asia Regional Integration Center

As COVID-19 restrictions eased and global demand rose, Malaysia’s GDP rebounded, growing by 3.1% in 2021 following a 5.6% contraction in 2020. Although the delta COVID-19 variant and rising prices dampened demand at the beginning of the year, all components had recovered strongly by the fourth quarter. Private consumption expanded by 1.9%, public consumption by 6.6%, private investment by 2.6%, and exports of goods and services by 15.9%. Supply-side growth was driven by manufacturing, which grew by 9.5% in 2021 due to relaxed restrictions and a robust recovery in global exports. Unemployment eased from 4.9% at the start of 2021 to 4.2% by the end of the year. The central bank continued its accommodative stance with a 1.75% policy rate. GDP is forecast to accelerate to 6.0% in 2022 as the recovery continues, before slowing to 5.4% in 2023.