4.8 percent increase in salary for 2026, predicted. Did you get more?

4.8 percent increase in salary for 2026, predicted. Did you get more?

Salary increase forecast is just an average yeah

Whatever number is forecasted, it’s usually an average. So, some people get higher (maybe they are in a more generous organization, maybe their skill is niche, maybe their industry is growing etc) and some people may get lower salary increase. (maybe the skills are too general, maybe they are in the wrong company, maybe the industry they are working is no longer growing). Some countries may have a lower number because their currency is already very strong, anything too high for just a few years will make them very uncompetitive in the long run.

Compare for us to take action, not to feel sad or arrogant

People say we must not compare. There are always people who’s better than us and people who’s not as fortunate as us. I mean, as long as we also get something, why bother about what others are getting? Actually, I do agree. In fact I think we should be grateful if we receive an increment and also a bonus too. However, we need to still understand what’s really happening so that we can take the right actions too. If some industries are paying a lot more and our skills are applicable in that industry as well, then we should think about changing industry versus continuing in an industry where the pay is lower.

Today, we just look at the salary increase in different ASEAN countries. If you have friends in those countries, you may understand why they seem to be smiling a lot recently. Malaysia’s not too bad based on the below.

Article in aon.com No need for words. Take a look at the below forecast from AON.

Really a wow for Vietnam at close to over 7 percent every year!

It means the salary of a working professional in Vietnam will double in less than 10 years! Happy for them indeed. Maybe most of the companies are the newly established multinationals or maybe Vietnamese companies are super generous to their workers. Definitely something worth celebrating and acknowledging.

Indonesia’s another star with close to 6 percent every year!

This is the most populous nation here in ASEAN and I do think the potential is super huge. This is also why I believe proficiency in Bahasa adds another layer of advantage. Come on, speaking English versus speaking Bahasa in the first business meeting, which one you really think has an advantage? If you insist it’s English, sure, haha. Happy spending the increment!

Malaysia’s in the middle, that’s a blessing too. 5 percent’s good actually

Official inflation in Malaysia is less than 3 percent. That means if we have a 5 percent increment, our life is definitely better than the year before since we are earning more than the rate of inflation. Anyway, I am super grateful lah. I remember we only have fish / meat every other day and a trip to Mc.Donalds will only happen once in a blue moon. Let’s hope this continue. 5 percent also mean we will double our salary in roughly 14 years lah.

What’s your increment? No need to share but remember to take actions!

Heading to shopee and spend it all is not too wise but yes, we should celebrate a bit. Remember to invest more money because RM100 invested today is worth RM300 or more by the time we retire, even at just a 5 percent return every year. Now imagine how many RM100 which we could invest every month. This is why retirement is not that scary is we break it down into something easier to understand and take actions.

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