The two pie charts compare the average proportions of household expenditure in Japan and Malaysia across five categories in the year 2010.
Overall, both countries spent the smallest share of their household budgets on health care. While housing represented the highest expense in Malaysia, Japanese households spent the most on other goods and services.
In Malaysia, housing accounted for the largest proportion of household spending at 34%, whereas in Japan, this category made up only 21%. Conversely, the largest share in Japan was for other goods and services, comprising 29%, which was slightly more than the 26% spent in Malaysia. Food expenditure was also significant in both countries, representing 27% in Malaysia and 24% in Japan.
Transport and health care made up the smallest shares of expenditure. Japanese households allocated 20% of their spending to transport, which was double the 10% recorded in Malaysia. Health care was the least significant category for both nations, although Japan spent 6%, compared to just 3% in Malaysia.