Johor’s headline growth masks lagging wages, weaker job quality and unaffordable housing.
Johor’s average monthly wage stood at RM2,980 in 2023, well below Selangor’s RM3,850 and Penang’s RM3,420, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia cited in a report by Research for Social Advancement. The gap in job quality is also evid…
Source: Research for Social Advancement · July 28, 2026 at 10:58 PM · AI-assisted report
JOHOR, 29 JULY 2026 —
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Johor’s average monthly wage stood at RM2,980 in 2023, well below Selangor’s RM3,850 and Penang’s RM3,420, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia cited in a report by Research for Social Advancement. The gap in job quality is also evident: Johor’s share of skilled employment reached 22.4% in 2022, compared with 29.1% in Selangor and 26.8% in Penang.
Market Impact
Households in Johor face greater pressure on affordability. The state’s house price-to-income ratio reached 6.1 in 2023, higher than the 5.2 in Selangor and 4.8 in Penang, making home ownership less accessible. The report argues that Johor’s proximity to Singapore could trap the state in a model where its labour and land markets are shaped mainly by cross-border demand, leaving limited benefits for local workers and firms.
“The Johor State Election should focus on policies that raise wages, improve job quality and restore housing affordability,” the report said. It warns that Johor must pursue job-led growth rather than investment-led expansion to ensure development is broad-based and benefits ordinary Johoreans. Analysts say the next government must prioritise skill-building, support local companies and implement targeted housing policies.
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