Penang beats 25 cities worldwide as cheapest base for digital nomads

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 — Penang has been named the world’s most budget-friendly city for digital nomads in an international study covering 26 cities across 15 countries.

The study by digital marketing agency Click Intelligence, published in Moneywise last month, placed Penang first with an overall score of 0.78, Berita Harian reported today.

Busan in South Korea came second, followed by Kuala Lumpur in third place.

Fukuoka in Japan and Seoul in South Korea ranked fourth and fifth respectively.

The other five cities in the top 10 were Tartu in Estonia, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Valencia in Spain, Osaka in Japan and Brno in the Czech Republic.

Digital nomads are professionals who are not tied to a specific location and use the internet and digital technology to work remotely while travelling.

The study estimated Penang’s monthly cost of living, including rent, at €850 (approximately RM3,860), highlighting its affordability alongside internet connectivity, safety and access to Malaysia’s DE Rantau Pass.

The DE Rantau Pass is a programme for eligible remote workers that allows them to stay in Malaysia for 12 months, with an option to renew the pass.

Language not a barrier

Click Intelligence co-founder and director James Owen said language was rarely an obstacle, as English was widely spoken throughout the island.

He also said Malaysia was generally regarded as a safe country to live in.

Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the international recognition reflected the state’s growing appeal as a destination of choice for digital nomads and international visitors.

“Penang offers more than just an affordable cost of living.

“Its Unesco World Heritage status, rich multicultural heritage, world-class food, thriving arts and creative landscape, as well as beautiful natural attractions, make the state an appealing destination to live, work and explore,” he said.

Wong said the recognition also reinforced the state government’s efforts to strengthen the tourism and creative economy industries.

“Penang has the lifestyle, culture and opportunities that international visitors and digital nomads are looking for,” he said.

Malaysia’s inflation eases to 1.8pc in September, govt monitors global cost pressures

PKR urges Umno not to mislead public over rural road projects

Azalina: Govt open to considering release of full report on Azam Baki shareholding probe

PKR urges Melaka voters to weigh track record, plans before casting ballots

吉隆坡，10 月 30 日讯——一项涵盖 15 个国家 26 个城市的国际研究显示，槟城被评为全球最适合数字游民居住的预算友好型城市。

据《每日新闻》今日报道，数字营销机构 Click Intelligence 上个月在 Moneywise 上发表的一项研究显示，槟城以 0.78 的总分位居榜首。

韩国釜山位居第二，吉隆坡位居第三。

日本福冈和韩国首尔分别位列第四和第五。

排名前十的其他五个城市分别是爱沙尼亚的塔尔图、泰国的清迈、西班牙的瓦伦西亚、日本的大阪和捷克共和国的布尔诺。

数字游民是指那些不受特定地点限制，利用互联网和数字技术在旅行的同时远程工作的专业人士。

该研究估计槟城每月的生活成本（包括房租）为 850 欧元（约合 3,860 令吉），突显了其经济实惠的特点，以及互联网连接、安全和可通往马来西亚 DE Rantau Pass 的优势。

DE Rantau Pass 是一项面向符合条件的远程工作者的计划，允许他们在马来西亚停留 12 个月，并可以选择续签。

语言不是障碍

Click Intelligence 联合创始人兼董事 James Owen 表示，语言很少成为障碍，因为英语在整个岛上广泛使用。

他还表示，马来西亚普遍被认为是一个安全的居住国家。

槟城旅游及创意经济委员会主席黄汉伟表示，这一国际认可反映了槟城作为数字游民和国际游客首选目的地的吸引力日益增强。

“槟城提供的不仅仅是低廉的生活成本。

他说：“该州拥有联合国教科文组织世界遗产地位、丰富的多元文化遗产、世界一流的美食、蓬勃发展的艺术和创意景观，以及美丽的自然景观，使其成为生活、工作和探索的理想之地。”

黄先生表示，这一认可也加强了州政府为加强旅游业和创意经济产业所做的努力。

他说：“槟城拥有国际游客和数字游民所追求的生活方式、文化和机遇。”

马来西亚9月份通胀率降至1.8%，政府密切关注全球成本压力。

人民公正党敦促巫统不要在乡村道路项目问题上误导公众。

阿扎利娜：政府愿意考虑公布阿扎姆·巴基持股调查的完整报告

人民公正党敦促马六甲选民在投票前权衡候选人的过往政绩和未来计划。