KUALA LUMPUR – The World Bank has praised Malaysia’s success in drastically reducing poverty levels, but says the country’s next challenge lies in achieving more equitable and inclusive growth.
World Bank senior economist for poverty and equity, Ririn Salwa Purnamasari, acknowledged Malaysia’s rapid progress over recent decades, noting that hardcore poverty has now been almost completely eliminated.
“Malaysia’s efforts in poverty and inequality reduction have been impressive. Hardcore poverty is now almost non-existent. The government’s target on eliminating hardcore poverty has essentially been met,” she was quoted saying by Bernama.
Ririn said the nation must now move beyond eradicating hardcore poverty and look towards improving the overall quality of development. She highlighted the need for stronger outcomes in education and health in order to sustain long-term inclusive growth.
“Malaysia’s success is not only about lifting people out of hardcore poverty. The country needs to have bigger ambitions,” she said.
She added that Malaysia already has solid foundations in place, including high enrolment at secondary level, wide healthcare access and the framework outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“The next steps for Malaysia are not about doing more of everything but about better connecting what Malaysia already has,” she said, adding that the country is well positioned to achieve a fair and high-income future. – December 6, 2025