The Star reported on 25th May 2007 that Expatriate Lifestyle has done a survey on 300 expats in Malaysia between December 2006 and March 2007. It should reflect the general trend among the estimated 100,000 expatriates in Malaysia. Combined with the Expatriate Lifestyle Media Information 2007 (link below), the findings include:

• They earn an average RM31,774 per month (household income). 36% earn between RM30,000 and RM40,000 per month, while 28% earn more than RM40,000 per month. That means almost two thirds earn at least RM30,000 per month. At the lowest end of the scale, 2% earn between RM5,000 and RM10,000 per month - perhaps this applies to the below 25 yrs of age group (there are 2% of them).
• Most are from European (non UK) countries (29%) followed by the US (22%) followed by Australia & NZ (16%) followed by UK (13%) followed by Japan (10%).
• Most are in senior management (22%) followed by middle management (19%). 13% are retired.
• There are more females (53%) than males.
• 62% of them have lived here for more than 3 years - more are staying in Malaysia long-term, due to comparatively low cost of living, culture, tolerant society and travel and living opportunities
• 43% owned their own homes
• 67% who do not yet own property plan to do so soon
• Average age: late 30s - getting younger than ever
• 79% bought their own cars; more than 6 in 10 still wanted to buy another, probably as a second car for their partners
• 73% went to bars more than once a week
• 44% were members of clubs and or societies
• 20% eat out every night
• 50% travelled more than 6 times for business and 6 times for pleasure annually
• they have a combined household income of about RM3.5 billion per month
• they would make 5.2 million shopping trips by end of this year
• they would buy 60,000 cars and homes within the next 2 years

Sources

• The Star
• Expatriate Lifestyle Media Information 2007 (pdf)