KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 ― Over four in 10 Malaysians put themselves above all others, surpassing Singaporeans often typecast as self-serving, according to a new survey by researchers Ipsos.

Urban Malaysians were also the most likely to prioritise their personal interests, with over two in three single respondents saying they would do so, although the figure dropped in direct relation in households with two or more individuals.

In comparison, just 29 per cent of Singaporeans professed to putting their needs first, while 64 per cent said their families were of paramount importance, compared to 55 per cent in Malaysia.

Malaysian women were marginally more inclined than men to be self-centred, with 43 per cent of the former versus 39 per cent of the latter choosing self over others.

Almost half of those in the lowest income group, earning RM1,500 a month and below, said their needs were the most important.

“Malaysians being more individualistic than Singaporeans is likely a matter of geography. The growing rate of urbanisation means that a lot more people move to the city for work, often leaving their community, parents and sometimes their family behind.

“This mean, they tend to prioritise Self as they are often the primary providers or caretakers, so to take care of their family requires them to first take care of themselves” said Katharine Davis, managing director for Ipsos in Malaysia.

Ipsos compared this to more closely integrated family units in high-density Singapore, which it suggested to be the reason for the higher importance placed on family interests there.

Singaporeans are frequently stereotyped as “kiasu”, the Hokkien term that roughly conveys a self-serving greed or a fear of losing out.

Community and nation were low in priority for both Malaysians and Singaporeans, with just 2 per cent of respondents each saying either category was the number one priority in their lives.

The online study, which was conducted by Ipsos & SSI in December 2015, surveyed 1,059 Malaysians and 1,050 Singaporeans of various ages, genders, ethnicities and professions.

The survey is the inaugural segment of what the firm said will be a more comprehensive study of the Malaysian and Singaporean identities.