RM100 in 1981 is worth RM316.32 in September 2026. DOSM's Consumer Price Index was 43.5 in January 1981 and 137.6 in September 2026, so prices are 216.3% higher. Put the other way round, what costs RM100 today cost about RM31.61 in 1981.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) Consumer Price Index via data.gov.my, compared January 1981 to September 2026.
Try your own amount| In 1981 | Worth in September 2026 |
|---|---|
| RM1 | RM3.16 |
| RM10 | RM31.63 |
| RM50 | RM158.16 |
| RM100 | RM316.32 |
| RM500 | RM1,582 |
| RM1,000 | RM3,163 |
| RM10,000 | RM31,632 |
| RM100,000 | RM316,322 |
RM100 today (September 2026) buys what RM31.61 bought in January 1981.
Between January 1981 and September 2026, prices rose 216.3% in total. That is an average of 2.6% a year, compounded.
Prices rose 7.6% between January 1981 and January 1982. That is above the average of 2.7% a year from January 1980 to January 2026. It ranks 2nd highest of 46 years with a January-to-January reading.
Inflation in 1981 was slower than 1980 (8.2%) and faster than 1982 (5.1%).
RM100 in 1981 is worth RM316.32 in September 2026, going by DOSM's Consumer Price Index from January 1981.
Prices rose 7.6% between January 1981 and January 1982. That is above the average of 2.7% a year from January 1980 to January 2026. It ranks 2nd highest of 46 years with a January-to-January reading.
Between January 1981 and September 2026, prices rose 216.3% in total. That is an average of 2.6% a year, compounded.
Official source, coverage and how this is calculated: see our data methodology →