Money
Malaysia inflation calculator
See what ringgit from any year since 1960 is worth today — using the official Consumer Price Index, not a guess.
Quick answer: RM1,000 in 2000 had the buying power of about RM1,707 in August 2026, because the DOSM consumer price index rose from 80.55 to 137.50 (2010 = 100). Today's amount = past amount × latest index ÷ index of the past year.
Fine print: this is the national average price rise, not your own spending, so rent, school fees or petrol may have moved differently. Years use the annual average index. It only looks backwards and is not a forecast. Data runs to Aug 2026; later months are not included until the snapshot is refreshed.
Who should use this
Anyone who needs to compare money across years.
- Renters and landlordsCheck whether a rent increase, or a rent that has not moved in years, kept up with prices.
- Employees negotiating paySee what your old salary would need to be today just to buy the same things, before asking for a raise.
- Retirees and pension plannersTurn a monthly figure you need today into what it may take years from now, using real past inflation as a guide.
- Small business ownersCompare the price you charged years ago against today's costs, and see if your margins quietly shrank.
- Savers and investorsTest whether a return, fixed deposit or EPF dividend actually beat price rises over the same stretch.
- Students, writers and researchersExpress an old ringgit figure — a 1980s salary, a historic price — in today's money with an official source behind it.
- Families and heirsPut a value on an old inheritance, savings bond or insurance payout in today's terms.
The price index over time
Malaysia CPI, 2010 = 100. August 2026: 137.50.
| Year | CPI (annual average) |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 20.85 |
| 1970 | 23.50 |
| 1980 | 41.10 |
| 1990 | 56.80 |
| 2000 | 80.55 |
| 2010 | 100.02 |
| 2020 | 120.10 |
Questions
Where do the numbers come from?
From the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) on data.gov.my, with 2010 as the base year (index = 100). The full-year figures from 1960 are annual averages, and the latest months are the monthly index.
How is the answer calculated?
Your amount × the index of the later period ÷ the index of the earlier period. If the index went from 100 to 150, anything bought then costs 1.5 times as much now.
Is this my personal inflation rate?
No. The CPI measures the average price rise of a typical household basket for the whole country. If you spend a lot more on one thing — rent, school fees, petrol — your own experience will differ.
Why can I only pick whole years before 2026?
Before the current year the calculator uses the annual average index, which smooths out month-to-month swings. Months are available for the years after the last full-year figure.
Can it predict future prices?
No. It only looks backwards, using prices that have already been recorded. Past inflation is a guide, not a forecast.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is an estimate for everyday comparisons. The data source states the Government of Malaysia is not liable for any loss or damage from using its information.
Source: Consumer Price Index (annual) and Consumer Price Index (monthly headline), Department of Statistics Malaysia via data.gov.my, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Not affiliated with or endorsed by DOSM or the Government of Malaysia.
Where this calculator's math comes from →
This calculator only covers Malaysia. If you're after the general idea rather than Malaysian ringgit, the history page above works for any country.