POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHY OF MALAYSIA: GROWTH, STATISTICS, BIRTH CONTROL

POPULATION OF MALAYSIA

Population: total: 34,905,275 (2025 estimate); male: 17,833,074; female: 17,072,201. The population of Malaysia in 2013 was 29,628,392, 43rd in the world at that time. From 1960 to 2000, the total population grew from an estimated 8 million to 23.3 million persons. Government figures for the first quarter of 2006 put the total population at 26.5 million. According to the 2000 census, 50.9 percent of the population was male and 49.1 percent female. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025, Library of Congress]

Population distribution is uneven, with over 80 percent of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula many of them in the Kuala Lumpur area or along the coast. In 2000 the state with the highest population was Selangor (4.2 million), and Labuan had the lowest population (76,067). [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Population density: 107 people square kilometer (compared to 2.3 per square kilometer in Mongolia, 36 per square kilometer in the United States, and 520 in South Korea) [Source: World Population Review]

Population density: 287 people square mile (compared to 6 per square mile in Mongolia, 95 per square mile in the United States, and 3,538 in Bangladesh) [Source: World Population Review]

From 1960 to 2000, population density grew from 24 to 71 persons per square kilometer. In 2000 population density was lowest in the state of Sarawak 10 (17 persons per square kilometer) and highest in the federal region of Kuala Lumpur (5,676 persons per square kilometer).From 1960 to 2000, the percentage of the population residing in urban areas increased from 25 to 62 percent. [Source: Library of Congress, 2006]

Malaysian government policy sets a target of 70 million people in the country by the year 2100.

Population Growth in Malaysia

Population and its growth rate in Malaysia, 1978-2014 Researchgate

Population growth rate: 0.97 percent (2025 estimate). Population growth rate in 2013: 1.51 percent (2013 est.), 79th in the world at that time. The annual population growth rate averaged 2.6 percent from 1960 to 2000, gradually declining to 1.8 percent for 2005–6. [Source: Library of Congress; CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Birth rate: 14.05 births/1,000 population (2025 estimate). Birth rate in 2013: 20.41 births/1,000 population, 83rd in the world at that time. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 estimate). The death rate in 2013: 4.97 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.), 184th in the world at that time. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Net migration rate: 1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 estimate). Net migration rate in 2013: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population, 129th in the world at that time. Total population figures include approximately 1.4 million non-Malaysian citizens, who comprised 5.9 percent of the total population in 2000. The rates do not reflect the net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

According to government data, from 1980 to 2005 life expectancy at birth increased from 66.4 to 71.8 years for males and from 70.5 to 76.2 years for females. During the same period, the crude birthrate fell from 30.9 to 19.6 births per 1,000 persons, the crude death rate fell from 5.3 to 4.4 deaths per 1,000 persons, and the infant mortality rate fell from approximately 23.9 to 5.1 deaths under one year of age per 1,000 live births. However, these figures often vary among ethnic groups. [Source: Library of Congress, 2006]

Demography of Malaysia

Population pyramid of Malaysia in 2020

Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.2 percent (male 3,947,914/female 3,730,319); 15-64 years: 69.4 percent (male 12,308,938/female 11,666,947); 65 years and over: 8.4 percent (2024 estimate) (male 1,409,360/female 1,501,332). [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Age structure in 2013: 0-14 years: 29.1 percent (male 4,433,911/female 4,186,635); 15-24 years: 17 percent (male 2,552,709/female 2,487,366); 25-54 years: 41.3 percent (male 6,195,754/female 6,027,160); 55-64 years: 7.4 percent (male 1,112,529/female 1,069,036); 65 years and over: 5.3 percent (male 739,696/female 823,596). According to the 2000 census 33.3 percent of the population was less than 15 years of age, 62.8 percent was 15 to 59 years of age, and 3.9 percent was 65 years of age or older.

Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 44.3 (2025 estimate); youth dependency ratio: 31.7 (2025 estimate); elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2025 estimate); potential support ratio: 7.9 (2025 estimate). The dependency ratio is a demographic metric measuring the ratio of non-working-age dependents (children 0-14 and elderly 65+) to the working-age population (15-64). It highlights the economic burden on the productive workforce, with higher ratios indicating greater pressure to support dependents through taxes or social services.[Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Median age: total: 32.2 years (2025 estimate); male: 31.7 years; female: 31.9 years. The median age in 2013: total: 27.4 years; male: 27.2 years; female: 27.6 years. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female; 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female; 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female; 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female; total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 estimate). Sex ratio: at birth in 2013: 1.07 male(s)/female; 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female; 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female; 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female; 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female; 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female; total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2013 est.). [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Family Demographics in Malaysia

Malaysia’s family structure has shifted steadily toward smaller, nuclear households over the past few decades. The average household size declined from about 4.6 persons in 2000 to around 3.8 by 2020–2022, reflecting changes in living arrangements and family formation. Nuclear families now make up the majority of households, accounting for about 66.4 percent as of 2014, while extended families represent a smaller share at about 20.8 percent. These changes are linked to urbanization, rising living costs, and evolving social norms that favor independent living. At the same time, single-person and non-traditional households are gradually increasing and are projected to continue growing, reaching roughly 9 percent and 4 percent respectively by 2030. [Sources: Department of Statistics Malaysia; Malaysia Population Research Hub, Statista]

Fertility and marriage patterns have also changed significantly. Malaysia’s fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 and is projected to reach about 1.5 births per woman by 2026. Women aged 30 to 39 now account for the largest share of births, at 47.9 percent, indicating a shift toward later childbearing. This trend is closely tied to delayed marriage, as more individuals marry later in life or remain single. As a result, household structures are diversifying, with a gradual increase in single-member households and smaller family units.

The country’s overall population continues to grow, reaching approximately 34.1 million by 2024. Malaysia remains ethnically diverse, with the majority classified as Bumiputera (including Malays), alongside significant Chinese and Indian minorities. About 90 percent of the population are citizens. Demographic changes also show an aging trend, with 7.7 percent of the population aged 65 and above in 2024, up slightly from the previous year. The national sex ratio stands at about 111 males for every 100 females, influenced in part by the presence of foreign workers.

Regional differences highlight uneven patterns of population growth and household change. The most populous states include Selangor, Johor, and Sabah, while states such as Sabah and Kuala Lumpur have recorded growth rates above the national average of 1.9 percent. Despite these regional variations, the overall trend toward smaller household sizes is evident in both urban and rural areas. These developments point to broader social and economic transformations that continue to reshape family life across Malaysia.

Fertility and Birth Control in Malaysia

Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2025 estimate). Total fertility rate in 2013: 2.61 children born/woman, 78th in the world at that time. The fertility rate in Germany is 1.35 children per woman; in Niger it is 6 children per woman. [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Estimated population density of Malaysia in 2010, persons per square kilometer

Gross reproduction rate: 0.83 (2025 estimate). [Source: CIA World Factbook, 2025]

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) among married women aged 15-49 in Malaysia is relatively low: 52 to 55 percent for any method, while the use of modern, effective methods is much lower, around 34 to 37 percent. Recent data indicates a high unmet need for family planning, with approximately 26.7 percent of women of reproductive age not using modern contraception despite wanting to prevent pregnancy. [Source: National Institutes of Health]

Types of Birth Control Used (2015): female sterilization: 10.1 percent; male sterilization: 0.0 percent; pill: 17 percent; injectible: 0 percent; IUD: 5.4 percent; male condom: 9.2 percent; vaginal barrier: 0.0 percent; early withdrawal: 3.6 percent; rhythm method: 8.1 percent; other traditional methods: 3.7 percent; total: 57.1 percent [Source: Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015 - the United Nations un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications ]

Types of birth control used (1994): female sterilization: 8.3 percent; male sterilization: 0 percent; pill: 14.6 percent; injectible: 0 percent; IUD: 4.2 percent; male condom: 5.9 percent; vaginal barrier: 0.9 percent; early withdrawal: 5.9 percent; rhythm method: 7.6 percent;other traditional methods: 7.6 percent; total: 54.1 percent [Source: Trends in Contraceptive Use Worldwide 2015 - the United Nations un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications ]

Malaysia's Fertility Rate Falls

In July 2009, AFP reported: “An increasing number of Malaysian couples are seeking fertility treatment as the country's birthrate declines, a newspaper has reported. A recent United Nations report showed the country's fertility rate dropped from 3.6 babies per couple in 1990 to 2.6 babies currently, the New Sunday Times said. [Source: AFP, July 11, 2009 ++]

“A key reason for the decline is an increasing fertility problem among Malaysian women, with as many as half of those who visit gynaecological specialists asking for treatment to help them conceive, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said. "Many of the couples will remain childless unless they are helped using the 'assisted reproductive technology' technique," Liow told the paper. Liow said between 10 and 15 percent of childless couples in the country, aged between 30 and 40, had fertility problem. ++

“A 2004 government study predicted that Malaysia's fertility rate would decline 0.1 percent every five years, as women postpone marriage and having children. The study also revealed the number of children being born varied widely according to the educational level of the mother. Women with no formal education had almost twice as many children as those with a tertiary education. Officials have voiced concerns that the low fertility rate could bring about changes in the country's demographic structure, including a gradual ageing of the population.” ++

Migration of People in Malaysia

By 1953, the native Malay population had become a minority in their own territory due to immigration from China, India, and other parts of Indonesia and Borneo. The government enacted legislation to restrict further immigration, and by 1968 Malays formed slightly more than 50 per cent of the population. Between 1975 and 1989, Malaysia provided asylum to more than 250,000 Vietnamese refugees. The vast majority later migrated to other countries. Between May 1989 and the end of 1993, all 10,495 Vietnamese people who arrived were denied entry. [Source: Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Thomson Gale, 2007]

In 2005, there were approximately 1.5 million legal foreign workers in Malaysia, primarily from Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines. Around another million unauthorised foreigners were also present. Also in 2005, it is estimated that there were 60,000 refugees in the country. The estimated net migration rate in 2004 was zero; however, this figure does not reflect the number of illegal immigrants.”

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings; 1993; New York Times; Washington Post; Los Angeles Times; Smithsonian magazine; Encyclopedia.com; National Geographic; Live Science; Malaysia Tourism websites; Malaysia government websites; UNESCO; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Natural History magazine; Times of London; Library of Congress; The Conversation; The New Yorker; Time; BBC; CNN; Reuters; Associated Press; AFP; Lonely Planet Guides; Google AI; Wikipedia; The Guardian and various websites; books and other publications.

Last updated May 2026