Some 39% of Malaysian workers say they have no savings buffer to fall back on, highlighting the strain unexpected expenses can create. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians may be fairly adaptable when life throws them a curveball, but their finances appear to be a different story. A new global study has found that while Malaysian workers score above average for overall personal resilience, financial resilience remains their weakest area.

According to Zurich Insurance Group’s Global People Resilience Study 2026, conducted with Oxford Research & Development Partners, 39% of Malaysian employees say they do not have a savings buffer to fall back on.

The research surveyed 11,175 working-age adults across 16 countries and examined resilience across five areas: psychological, physical, social, financial and digital.