Malaysia
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Emerging readiness
Malaysia demonstrates early-stage readiness (61st percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 61st
- Global rank
- #70
- Regional rank
- #14
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Malaysia shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Infrastructure (77, 93rd percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Limited tertiary enrollment narrows future talent pipelines and innovation capacity.
Strong R&D funding and a sizable research workforce keep the innovation pipeline active, moving new solutions into education. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.
Human Capital and School Access and Gender Parity present a near-term leapfrog opportunity: performance is just below the global average, backed by enough observed data to support forward planning. Regionally, Malaysia leads most clearly in Infrastructure, sitting well above the peer average.
Areas with room to grow: Human Capital (47, 39th percentile) and School Access and Gender Parity (41, 47th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Sits above the global median at the 61st percentile.
- Places 70th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 14th within East Asia & Pacific.
- Scores range from Infrastructure (76.7) to Access & Parity (41.1), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Infrastructure.
Regional peers: East Asia & Pacific
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Korea, Rep. | 79.45 |
| 3 | 2 | Hong Kong SAR, China | 77.87 |
| 4 | 3 | Singapore | 77.24 |
| 24 | 4 | Japan | 70.54 |
| 25 | 5 | Australia | 70.53 |
| 34 | 6 | New Zealand | 68.21 |
| — | — | NauruMicrostate | 63.70 |
| — | — | PalauMicrostate | 63.63 |
| — | — | Northern Mariana IslandsMicrostate | 63.05 |
| 48 | 7 | Thailand | 61.33 |
| — | — | American SamoaMicrostate | 61.26 |
| 49 | 8 | Brunei Darussalam | 61.14 |
| — | — | GuamMicrostate | 60.51 |
| 54 | 9 | Indonesia | 60.06 |
| 56 | 10 | Macao SAR, China | 59.92 |
| — | — | New CaledoniaMicrostate | 59.48 |
| — | — | French PolynesiaMicrostate | 58.74 |
| 65 | 11 | Fiji | 57.04 |
| 67 | 12 | Mongolia | 56.70 |
| 68 | 13 | China | 56.42 |
| 70 | 14 | Malaysia | 56.09 |
| 80 | 15 | Philippines | 53.28 |
| — | — | TuvaluFCSMicrostate | 52.99 |
| — | — | SamoaMicrostate | 52.80 |
| 83 | 16 | Viet Nam | 52.16 |
| — | — | TongaMicrostate | 46.68 |
| — | — | Marshall IslandsFCSMicrostate | 46.22 |
| — | — | KiribatiFCSMicrostate | 46.13 |
| 106 | 17 | Timor-LesteFCS | 41.78 |
| — | — | Micronesia, Fed. Sts.FCSMicrostate | 40.44 |
| 113 | 18 | Vanuatu | 39.11 |
| 117 | 19 | Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 37.93 |
| 125 | 20 | MyanmarFCS | 35.50 |
| 131 | 21 | Cambodia | 32.82 |
| 136 | 22 | Solomon IslandsFCS | 31.58 |
| 138 | 23 | Lao PDR | 30.78 |
| 156 | 24 | Papua New GuineaFCS | 23.87 |