In 2025, age-gap relationships -- particularly where the woman is older -- are stepping into the Malaysian spotlight.
More and more Malaysian women are proudly dating younger men, while younger men are confidently embracing older, more emotionally mature partners.
According to Lunch Actually’s 2024 Annual Dating Survey,
71% of Malaysian men say they are open to dating or marrying older women -- up 17 points from 2019.
69% of Malaysian women are also open to dating younger men.
This signals a cultural shift: the stigma around older-woman-younger-man relationships is rapidly fading in Malaysia.
The Rise of Confident & Curious Malaysian Men
What’s driving this trend?
For many Malaysian men, it’s no longer taboo -- it’s a preference. Over the past six years, Lunch Actually’s data shows a steady climb in interest:
- 2019: 70%
- 2020: 55%
- 2021: 58%
- 2022: 58%
- 2023: 70%
- 2024: 71%
This isn’t a passing phase -- it’s a transformation
Younger men today are more emotionally aware, more self-assured, and less constrained by traditional gender norms.
Many say they appreciate the confidence, maturity, and emotional depth that older women bring to a relationship.
“It’s not about age -- it’s about alignment,” says Danish, 29, a Lunch Actually member from KL who is currently dating a woman nine years older.
“With her, I feel seen, supported, and challenged in the best way.”
Women Are Owning Their Choices
Once concerned about societal judgment, more Malaysian women are now embracing relationships with younger men.
And why not? With rising financial independence and emotional maturity, they know what they want -- and won’t settle.
Violet Lim, CEO and Co-Founder of Lunch Actually, who has matched thousands of Malaysian singles over the past 21 years, sees this evolution clearly:
“In 2019, many women were still asking, ‘Isn’t it weird to date a younger guy?’
Now, in 2025, they’re proudly saying, ‘Why not?’ We’re witnessing a generation of women who are empowered, self-assured, and finally giving themselves permission to love without limits.”
Malaysian Celebrities Who Break the Mold (And Inspire Others)
These public figures are proof that love doesn’t come with an expiration date:
👉🏿 Rozita Che Wan & Zain Saidin
Age Gap: 11 years
Why Inspiring: The glamorous actress and the much-younger actor have been married since 2013 and are a favourite media couple, showing that a strong bond and mutual respect transcend age.
👉🏿 Ning Baizura & Omar Sharif Dalton
Age Gap: ~5 - 8 years
Why Inspiring: Known for her bold personality and powerhouse voice, Ning married a younger British professional, proving age, race, and background don’t limit love.
👉🏿 Sheila Majid & Acis
Age Gap: ~6 years
Why Inspiring: Their long-standing partnership and musical collaboration showed Malaysians that older women can lead in both art and love.
Why This Shift Matters
👉🏿 Increased Confidence in Younger Men
They’re no longer intimidated by powerful, established women -- and instead, they’re actively drawn to them.
👉🏿 More Empowered Women
Today’s Malaysian women are choosing partners based on connection and compatibility -- not age, money, or status.
👉🏿 Celebrity Influence
These couples normalize and glamorize age-gap love, breaking outdated stereotypes.
👉🏿 Evolving Gender Roles
Emotional intelligence and mutual respect are taking center stage over traditional roles or expectations.
Common Hurdles and How to Overcome Them
Despite increasing acceptance, couples in age-gap relationships often still face scrutiny. Here's how you can climb beyond it:
👉🏿 Align Your Life Vision.
Age aside, if your life goals match, the rest is just numbers. A shared outlook on the future -- whether it’s about career, family, or lifestyle -- lays the foundation for a lasting relationship.
👉🏿 Respect Each Other's Life Stages.
Couples should respect each other’s life stages. Be mindful of where each partner is in life -- and support each other’s personal and professional journeys. Open conversations about goals and timelines are essential to bridge any potential gaps.
👉🏿 Ease Others In
Introducing partners gradually helps ease family and friends into acceptance. While not everyone will immediately understand or support your relationship, focus on what truly matters: your connection. Sometimes, it’s okay to ignore the noise and stand firm in your choices.
👉🏿 Keep Power Dynamic Healthy
Foster open and honest communication to navigate any differences in goals, maturity, or expectations. Prioritize mutual respect and equitable decision-making to ensure both partners feel heard, valued, and equally invested -- this helps maintain a healthy and balanced dynamic.
From celebrity couples to everyday singles, one message rings loud and clear in 2025: love doesn’t follow a timeline. Whether she’s older or he is, relationships built on connection and compatibility are rewriting the rules.
As Violet Lim puts it: “At Lunch Actually, we match people based on who they are and what they want -- not their age. Compatibility, communication, and emotional depth are what truly matter.”
So, the next time someone asks, “Isn’t he too young for her?”, maybe the better question is:
“Are they happy together?” - KitaReporters/Media Release
