Effects of macroeconomic factors on property crime in Malaysia: new evidence from the FMOLS method

Paul Anthony Mariadas (), Hafizah Hammad Ahmad Khan (), Muthaloo Subramaniam (), Uma Murthy (), Amira Mas Ayu Amir Mustafa () and Siti Nurul Munawwarah Roslan ()
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Paul Anthony Mariadas: School of Accounting and Finance, Taylor''s University, Malaysia
Hafizah Hammad Ahmad Khan: Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kedah, Malaysia
Muthaloo Subramaniam: School of Management and Business, MILA University
Uma Murthy: School of Accounting and Finance,Taylor''s University, Malaysia
Amira Mas Ayu Amir Mustafa: School of Accounting and Finance,Taylor''s University, Malaysia
Siti Nurul Munawwarah Roslan: School of Accounting and Finance,Taylor''s University, Malaysia

Economics Bulletin, 2025, vol. 45, issue 1, 638 - 652

Abstract: This paper explores the effects of macroeconomic factors (household debt, income level, unemployment, inflation, and imprisonment) on property crime rates in Malaysia, driven by the potential for affected individuals to break the law for financial survival. Data spanning the period of 1999 to 2022 was obtained and analyzed using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) approach, revealing the significant positive influence of debt, income inequality, unemployment, and inflation on local property crime. In contrast, a higher number of prisoners does not significantly increase property crime rates, suggesting that imprisonment may not be an effective preventive measure. These insights are useful for controlling property-related offenses in developing countries that are also facing rising costs of living, household debt, unemployment, and income stagnation.

Keywords: FMOLS; household debt; income inequality; inflation; macroeconomic factors; property crime; unemployment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E2 O1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-03-30
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