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Job security, cost of living top concerns for Malaysian youth ahead of Budget 2027

Malaysian youths are grappling with significant anxiety about employment prospects and affordability, with concerns centred on whether their current positions will remain viable over the next decade. The youth minister has highlighted these anxieties as the government prepares its upcoming budget.

LSN Malaysia · 3 October 2026

KUALA LUMPUR — Concerns about job security and rising living costs have emerged as dominant worries among Malaysia's younger workforce, according to remarks from the Youth Minister ahead of Budget 2027 deliberations.

The minister identified employment sustainability as a primary concern facing young Malaysians, with many questioning whether their existing roles will endure amid technological disruption and economic shifts. The uncertainty reflects broader apprehension about Malaysia's labour market trajectory and the impact of automation on career longevity.

Beyond employment, youths have voiced mounting anxiety over the affordability crisis gripping the nation. Rising costs across housing, transportation, and daily necessities have strained the finances of young workers and job seekers attempting to establish financial independence.

The remarks underscore growing generational divisions in Malaysia's economic landscape, with younger cohorts facing distinct challenges compared to previous decades. These concerns are expected to shape policy priorities as the government formulates its 2027 budget allocations.

The identification of youth anxieties signals potential focus areas for budgetary interventions aimed at supporting job creation, skills development, and cost-of-living relief measures in the coming fiscal year.