Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is now just one step away from achieving high-income nation status based on the World Bank's per capita income threshold, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, measured using the World Bank Atlas method, has reached USD12,380, the highest level since independence. Additionally, the country's economic size, measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has increased to USD472 billion, marking another record since 1957.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, for the 2027 financial year, the World Bank Atlas method sets the GNI per capita threshold for high-income nation status at USD14,376. Ramanan highlighted that Malaysia is now just one step away from achieving that status and expressed confidence that the nation is not far from reaching its goal. He made these remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Training Week (NTW) 2026 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Permatang Pauh. The event was officiated by Anwar and was also attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Ramanan emphasized that the achievement demonstrates the country's successful trajectory, fueled by the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the economy, attract investments, and enhance workforce competitiveness. He also stressed the importance of transparent fund management, noting that opportunities to upskill Malaysians could only be created through institutions that are strong, trusted, and possess expertise in developing the nation's talent.
He pointed out that the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) plays a crucial role in advancing the country's human capital development agenda. In Penang alone, more than 8,000 registered employers involve 445,792 employees. During the first half of 2026, RM129.72 million in training levy was collected in the state, with RM113.74 million channelled back into workforce upskilling through 125,398 training programmes.
Ramanan reiterated the importance of managing the levy with integrity, revealing that strengthened governance enabled the recovery of RM437.3 million through optimisation measures and portfolio recovery in the first half of the year alone. Regarding NTW 2026, he noted that the initiative provides opportunities for all segments of society, including youths, workers, homemakers, and retirees, to enhance their skills and build a better future.