Economic uncertainty is prompting young Malaysians to consider investing rather than shy away from it, with 84% of respondents saying financial concerns have made them more likely to invest, according to a joint survey by Moomoo Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the Youth Economic Forum (YEF).
The findings challenge the assumption that rising living costs and economic pressures are discouraging young people from making long-term financial plans. However, the survey also points to a gap between their willingness to invest and their confidence in understanding how to get started.
Conducted among attendees of the 2026 Youth Economic Forum, organised by the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association, the survey found that only 6.3% of respondents said economic concerns made them less likely to invest.
Despite their interest, perceived affordability remains a barrier for some. Among respondents who cited insufficient funds as their main obstacle to investing, 58.3% said they could nevertheless set aside at least RM100 a month.
The findings suggest that some young Malaysians may underestimate their ability to begin investing, while misconceptions about the amount needed to get started could further discourage participation.
About 41.7% of respondents believed they needed between RM100 and RM499 to begin investing, despite the availability of digital investment platforms with lower entry points.
The survey also found that most respondents preferred a balanced approach to investment risk, with 46.1% describing their risk appetite as balanced.
Another 32.5% identified as conservative investors, while 16.5% described themselves as aggressive investors.
The results indicate that many young respondents are willing to accept some market fluctuations but remain cautious about higher-risk investments.
However, gaps in financial knowledge could affect their ability to make informed decisions. Social media was the most frequently cited source of investment information, used by 62.1% of respondents, compared with 34% who relied on formal education.
Only 42.2% said they were confident in understanding how investment fees affect returns, while 31.6% understood what a brokerage account was and how to open one.
More than three-quarters of respondents (75.2%) said clearer and simpler information would increase their confidence to start investing.
Moomoo Malaysia acting chief executive officer Dennis Jee said the findings highlighted the need to bridge the gap between investment interest and the practical knowledge required to navigate financial markets.
“The opportunity is not just about giving people more sophisticated tools. It is also about making those tools and the information behind them easier to understand and use,” he said.
Jee said investment education should be an integral part of digital investment platforms, adding that confidence grounded in genuine understanding was important when navigating volatile markets.
He also cautioned that greater access to investment tools did not eliminate the need for sound judgement, noting that investors should understand the strategies, assumptions and risks associated with their decisions.
While artificial intelligence could make investing more accessible, Jee said investors should remain equipped to exercise their own judgement.
He added that starting with smaller amounts and investing consistently could help young adults develop long-term financial habits, provided they understood the risks and made decisions aligned with their individual goals.
The Youth Economic Forum serves as a national platform for young people to engage with policymakers, corporate leaders and industry experts on Malaysia’s economic priorities and future direction.
The survey findings highlight an opportunity to strengthen financial literacy among young Malaysians, particularly in understanding investment costs, account opening processes and risk management, as interest in investing grows amid economic uncertainty.