Department of Statistics Malaysia: The 4 main expenditure categories

Department of Statistics Malaysia: The 4 main expenditure categories

All of us have expenditures we could not avoid

Do take a look at the below and think deeper. Are all these expenditures the ones which we could not avoid, we could not reduce and we could not run away from spending? You have the answer. In fact sometimes, as I walk past a cafe, I tell myself, I still have free coffee at home. Haha. It does NOT work all the time. That’s why I always have some balance inside my ZUS Coffee app these days.

Based on 2024 Data, here are the Top Expenditure Categories as per DOSM.

#1 – Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels: ~23.5% (e.g., rent/mortgage, utilities)

If we are able to reduce this, we will definitely be able to control our expenses because this is close to a quarter of the total income. Think about staying in a cheaper place for example. Think about a smaller place versus a fully furnished place for example. Think about reducing air-con usage for example.

#2 – Restaurant and Accommodation Services – ~17.0% (dining out)

This is one part where huge difference exists. Think about a cup of coffee using a pack of 2 in 1 Kopi-O to the local coffee shop to the cafes and even to the cafes within some 5-star establishments. It could start from 40 sen all the way to RM18 for a cup of coffee. From 2 in 1 Kopi-O pack all the way to a Latte with a nice sofa seat inside a hotel.

#3 – Food and Beverages (Groceries) ~15.7% (groceries at home)

I think this is more for households who are cooking more at home versus eating out. Expenses for groceries can also be very different. Buying cheaper fruits versus avocados perhaps? Buying a house brand bread versus some famous franchise brand. Maybe drinking plain water versus always bottle of Coke or Kickapoo? Huge differences really.

#4 – Transport ~11.0% (fuel, public transport, vehicle maintenance)

Actually, I think this is more of an average because if one is driving a typical Japanese branded car and also shying away from the public transport, the total expenses are far higher than this 11 percent. Thus, this Transport category could be more of an average of everyone instead. So, it meant that if we are to use public transport, the total costs can be reduced tremendously too.