This is an English editorial summary of a report published by Nanyang Property. Market figures and observations are attributed to the original report.
Read the original: 大马跃升中国买家第四大置业地Key figures
- ●Malaysia accounted for 7.3% of Chinese buyers' overseas property enquiries in 1H2026, up from 4.5% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2024
- ●Chinese buyers are estimated to invest more than RM1.6 billion in Malaysian residential property annually
- ●Chinese citizens invested RM835 million in Malaysian residential property in 1H2025, about 51% of total foreign residential investment
- ●Homes priced above RM1 million were the only price category to grow in Q1 2026 transactions, up 1.8% year on year to a 9.2% share
- ●Chinese applicants make up more than half of all MM2H programme applications
News summary
Demand from Chinese buyers for Malaysian residential property has risen to its highest level in 10 years, making Malaysia the fourth most popular overseas destination for Chinese property buyers, according to a Nanyang Property report citing Juwai IQI data. It is estimated that Chinese buyers invest more than RM1.6 billion in Malaysia's residential property market each year.
Juwai IQI co-founder and group chief executive Kashif Ansari said Malaysia accounted for 7.3% of all overseas property enquiries from Chinese buyers in the first half of 2026, up sharply from 4.5% in 2025 and 2.8% in 2024. Malaysia ranked behind only Thailand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The composition of Chinese buyers is also shifting, from overseas investors towards expatriates and families looking to live in the properties they buy, with education and lifestyle important considerations. Popular locations include Mont Kiara, Desa ParkCity and Penang, areas that are home to international schools and established expatriate communities.
Market data cited in the report showed continued growth in demand for high-value homes. In the first quarter of this year, transactions of residential properties priced above RM1 million grew 1.8% year on year, the only price category to record growth, while their share of overall residential transactions rose to 9.2%.
In the first half of 2025, Chinese citizens invested RM835 million in Malaysian residential property, accounting for about 51% of total foreign investment in Malaysia's residential property market. On an annualised basis, that works out to more than RM1.6 billion. Chinese buyers also form the largest applicant group for the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, making up more than half of all applications.
Ansari expects demand from Chinese buyers for Malaysian property to continue growing, as Chinese families and investors continue to value Malaysia's education, lifestyle and culture, as well as relatively clear residency pathways.
Source published 2 September 2026. This summary is provided for general information and is not financial or investment advice.