Ipsos poll: Malaysians prioritise jobs and homes over traditional milestones

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 — According to a recent Ipsos poll, Malaysians prioritize stable employment and home ownership above traditional milestones like marriage and parenthood, reflecting views that align closely with global expectations. The Ipsos Life Aspirations 2026 report indicates that 67% of Malaysians consider a stable job crucial, compared to the global average of 65%, while 60% view home ownership as a key milestone, slightly above the global average of 58%.

However, the report highlights a notable generational shift: while the core values of success remain consistent, Gen Z Malaysians are placing relatively lower importance on traditional family milestones compared to Millennials. Specifically, 47% of Malaysians view marriage as a marker of success, in contrast to the global average of 31%, and 35% prioritize parenthood, as opposed to 25% globally.

Similarly, while 50% of Millennials view parenthood as a success marker, only 35% of Gen Z do so. The data suggests that younger Malaysians are not redefining success but rather reordering their priorities, focusing on achieving financial and personal stability before pursuing traditional life milestones. The most striking disparity in the findings is in home ownership.

Although 79% of Malaysians aspire to own a home, only 46% have achieved this, highlighting the persistent challenges in Malaysia's housing market. Ipsos Malaysia managing director Arun Menon noted that this trend is consistent with broader demographic shifts, as Malaysians increasingly prioritize education, career progression, and financial security over traditional family milestones.