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On average, Malaysians spend the equivalent of a full work week every week doing unpaid household chores and caring for family members, according to new data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM)
According to Bernama, the National Household Indicators Survey (NHIS) 2025 found that Malaysians spend 21.7% of their day, or an average of five hours and 12 minutes daily, on unpaid domestic and care work.
Over the course of a week, that adds up to more than 36 hours.
Unpaid domestic and care work refers to household chores and caregiving responsibilities carried out without pay, including cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and caring for children, elderly family members, or relatives with disabilities.
According to Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, adults in their prime working years shoulder the biggest share of domestic responsibilities
The survey found that:
– Malaysians aged 45 to 54 spend the most time on unpaid domestic and care work at five hours and 43 minutes a day.
– This is followed by those aged 25 to 44, who spend five hours and 35 minutes daily.
– Malaysians aged 55 to 64 average five hours and 31 minutes a day.
Meanwhile, those aged 15 to 24 spend the least amount of time on unpaid work, averaging three hours and 53 minutes a day.
"This reflects the greater domestic and caregiving responsibilities typically borne by people in the middle stages of life," said Mohd Uzir.
The survey also found that Malaysians spend more time on unpaid domestic and care work than the average in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Women in Malaysia spend an average of six hours and seven minutes a day, or 25.5% of their daily time, on unpaid domestic and care work. In comparison, women in OECD countries spend about 17% of their day on similar responsibilities.
Men in Malaysia, meanwhile, spend 18.1% of their day on unpaid domestic and care work, compared with around 9% to 11% internationally.
"These findings show that the burden of unpaid work remains high in Malaysia for both men and women, with women continuing to shoulder a greater share of the responsibility," Mohd Uzir said.
The survey also found that persons with disabilities spend an average of two hours and 59 minutes on unpaid work
Although persons with disabilities spend less time on unpaid work, Mohd Uzir said they remain actively involved in household and caregiving responsibilities, highlighting the need for a more inclusive social support system.
He added that the findings could help strengthen policies on social development, work-life balance, and gender equality, while recognising the value of unpaid domestic and care work in improving people's wellbeing and supporting national productivity.
