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Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia

49 (1) 2015 15 – 24

Financial Fragility of Urban Households in Malaysia
Kerapuhan Kewangan Bagi Isi Rumah Bandar di Malaysia

Department of Economics
International Islamic University Malaysia
P. O. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA

selamah@iium.edu.my

Department of Sociology and Anthropology
International Islamic University Malaysia
P. O. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA

rohaiza@iium.edu.my

Department of Business Administration
International Islamic University Malaysia
P. O. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA

wjamaliah@iium.edu.my

Abstract

Household debt in Malaysia has been on an upward trend and increasing at a relatively fast pace. This study provides an in-depth micro analysis of the current Malaysian urban households’ vulnerabilities by examining the extent of their ability in dealing with financial shocks and factors that attribute to their financial fragility. Using a recent strictly random sample, it is found that Malaysian urban households are financially vulnerable. Only 10 percent of the households are resilient to shocks related to unemployment, physical disability, divorce, death, or changes in interest rate or stock market. More than a fifth of the households are not able to survive for at least three months if their income is cut off. Additionally, more than a fifth of these households do not have enough savings or any other source to turn to if there is a need to raise RM10,000 within a short period. Household income significantly affects a household current financial situation, while those with better financial knowledge and higher levels of education are less likely to be in asset poverty. The inability to cope with financial shocks differs across ethnic groups partly due to the wealth disparity and access to sources of funds. Initiatives must be undertaken to assist the households in facing these challenges and for them to exercise financial prudence. Additionally, household debt must be closely monitored to ensure that it is sustainable.

Keywords

Ethnic; financial shock; Household debt; Malaysia; vulnerability

Author’s Acknowledgement

This paper is part of a project funded by the Ministry of Education (formerly Ministry of Higher Education), Malaysia. We gratefully acknowledged their support.

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JEM-2015-4901-02
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Abdullah Yusof, , Abd Rokis, , & Wan Jusoh, (2015). Financial Fragility of Urban Households in Malaysia. Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, 49(1), 15–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JEM-2015-4901-02

@article{yusof2015financial,
  title={Financial Fragility of Urban Households in Malaysia},
  author={Abdullah Yusof, Selamah and Abd Rokis, Rohaiza and Wan Jusoh, Wan Jamaliah},
  journal={Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia},
  volume={49},
  number={1},
  pages={15—24},
 

year={2015},
}

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