Penang, Malaysia | World’s Best Cities

Penang, Malaysia

Known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed George Town, Penang combines the charm of old-world architecture with the energy of a city on the rise. The island city’s streets are filled with a colorful mix of street art, colonial buildings, and lively markets, contributing to its #22 ranking in our overall Livability category, including a #6 ranking for its Tree Cover and #18 ranking for its Healthcare System. But the city is sprinting into its future, with major urban development projects fast changing its skyline. The Batu Kawan Industrial Park is a magnet for international tech firms like Broadcom, bringing jobs and boosting Penang’s economic growth, anchored by Asia-Pacific’s third-lowest unemployment rate and the #9-ranked Labor Force Participation. 

Tourism continues to play a major role in Penang’s growth, with recent efforts focusing on revitalizing George Town’s waterfront and promoting eco-tourism across the island’s stunning parks and beaches. City leaders are also bringing that natural bounty to the urban grid, with sustainability initiatives such as the Penang Green Agenda 2030 aiming to preserve its rich cultural heritage while enhancing its urban environment with greener public spaces and improved waste management systems.