The total population in Malaysia was estimated at 34.1 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Malaysia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As of July 2024, 70.4 percent of the Malaysian population were classified as Bumiputera, 22.4 percent were classified as ethnic Chinese, and 6.5 percent as ethnic Indians. Those who do not fall under these three main ethnic groups are classified as ‘Other’. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society with three main ethnicities and language groups. Who are Malaysia’s Bumiputera? Bumiputera, meaning sons of the soil, is a term used to categorize the Malays, as well as the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, also known as orang asli, and the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak. As of July 2023, the Bumiputera share of the population in Sabah was 89 percent, while that in Sarawak was 76.1 percent. Thus, the incorporation of the states of Sabah and Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia ensured that the ethnic Malays were able to maintain a majority share of the Malaysian population. Bumiputera privileges and ethnic-based politics The rights and privileges of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak are enshrined in Article 153 of Malaysia’s constitution. This translated, in practice, to a policy of affirmative action to improve the economic situation of this particular group, through the New Economic Policy introduced in 1971. 50 years on, it is questionable whether the policy has achieved its aim. Bumiputeras still lag behind the other ethnic two major groups in terms of monthly household income. However, re-thinking this policy will certainly be met by opposition from those who have benefitted from it.

As of July 2024, the population of Selangor was estimated at approximately 7.4 million. Selangor is Malaysia's most populous state, as well as the state with the largest economy in terms of gross domestic product. The Golden Peninsula Malaysia is comprised of 13 states and three Wilayah Persekutuan (WP) or federal territories, which include Labuan, an offshore financial center on the east; the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur; and the administrative center, Putrajaya - both on the west. The aforementioned two federal territories on the west are enclaves within Selangor. In addition to that and the many points of interest it has to offer, Selangor is Malaysia’s most visited state among domestic tourists. Darul Ehsan – The Abode of Sincerity Selangor is a sultanate, ruled by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah since 2001. Located on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula, the state hosts the country’s two main transportation hubs: Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Port Klang, the country’s largest port.The state is also Malaysia’s largest economy, which contributes a big part to Malaysia’s overall GDP per capita. With the prime location, good infrastructure, and two federal territories within, Selangor will continue to attract more people for work, travel, or more.

Population, female (% of total population) in Malaysia was reported at 47.59 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in Malaysia was reported at 8.6784 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Malaysia Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data was reported at 9.869 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 10.153 % for 2016. Malaysia Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.183 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.400 % in 2015 and a record low of 7.341 % in 1965. Malaysia Population: Male: Ages 20-24: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Urban population (% of total population) in Malaysia was reported at 79.2 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, the share of the Malaysian population aged over 65 years was at *** percent, an increase compared to *** percent in the previous year. Malaysia is currently facing the prospect of an aging population, and the latest statistical data predicted this to be happening as soon as in 2030. Aging population by 2030? An aging population is defined as one in which those aged 65 years and above make up at least 15 percent of the total population. According to a statement by Malaysia’s Chief Statistician in July 2019, the 15 percent threshold would be crossed in 2030. The past ten years have seen a change in Malaysia’s age structure. The share of the population between 0 and 14 years had been decreasing steadily, while the inverse was true for those aged 65 and above. The average age of the Malaysian population reflected this trend, and was expected to reach **** years in 2030, up from **** years in 2015. Is Malaysia ready for an aging society? Academics fear that Malaysian society would not be ready to meet the needs of a rapidly aging society. In a survey on aging, more than ** percent of Malaysian respondents felt that it was the duty of the young to take care of the elderly. This mindset places the burden of care on a shrinking base of young people. Not only that, it could contribute to the underdevelopment of social services for the elderly. Already, more Malaysians seemed pessimistic about aging. Existing problems such as a lack of professional caregivers, affordable care, and elderly-friendly housing, especially in rural areas, need to be quickly addressed before the silver tsunami overwhelms the country.

As of the first half of 2024, Malaysia's biggest population belonged to the age group of 20 to 24 years old, with around *** million people. Meanwhile, there were around ******* people above the age of 85 years.

The population in Malaysia grew to 32.45 million people in 2020. This is in line with a steady positive trend that has been happening since at least 2016 and is forecast to continue until at least 2030, as well as with the growth rates in other ASEAN countries. Malaysian demographics As the fertility rate slowly declines, the population growth rate should slowly decline as well. However, since life expectancy is also slowly increasing, this can still fuel population growth, as we see in this statistic. In Malaysia, this is leading to a healthy age structure, with a large group of working-age people who are able to support a smaller number of old and young people. Economic effects A growing population should lead to an increasing gross domestic product (GDP), simply because more people means more consumers and workers. This is especially effective if the country is at full employment. Given the generally low level of unemployment in Malaysia, it is fairly safe to assume that this is true.

According to forecast data from Tellusant, approximately **** percent of the Malaysia population in 2024 would earn at least the equivalent of the top 40 percent of global earners in 2022 constant purchasing power parity. Meanwhile, around **** percent of the population were considered high-class consumers, earning the equivalent of the top ten percent of global earners in 2022 constant purchasing power parity.

Key information about Malaysia population

• The Malaysia population reached 34.1 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 33.4 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 34.1 million people in Dec 2024 and a record low of 4.9 million people in Dec 1947

CEIC extends history for annual Population. The Department of Statistics provides Mid-year Population based on 2020 Census. Population prior to 2020 is based on 2010 Census. Population prior to 2010 is based on 2000 Census.


Further information about Malaysia population data

• In the latest reports, Malaysia Unemployment Rate remained the same at 3.3 % in May 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Malaysia population was 730.5 USD in May 2024
• Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate remained the same rate at 70.3 % in May 2024

As of July 2024, it was estimated that 76.2 percent of the population in Sarawak were Bumiputera. "Bumiputera" is a term used in Malaysia to refer to those of Malay ethnicity or from indigenous groups in Malaysia. Sarawak is a resource-rich state, located in western Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It primarily exports oil, gas, timber, and palm oil.

According to NapoleonCat, in 2024, ** percent of Facebook users in Malaysia were male. That year, there were approximately ** million Facebook users in Malaysia.

Population, female in Malaysia was reported at 16939879 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 80 and above, male (% of male population) in Malaysia was reported at 0.97321 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population ages 80 and above, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Malaysia Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data was reported at 9.680 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.895 % for 2016. Malaysia Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.476 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.170 % in 1984 and a record low of 7.444 % in 1965. Malaysia Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

As of July 2024, it was estimated that **** percent of the population in Sabah were Bumiputera. "Bumiputera" is a term used in Malaysia to refer to those of Malay ethnicity or from indigenous groups in Malaysia. Sabah is a resource-rich state, located in eastern Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It primarily exports oil, gas, timber, and palm oil.

Population ages 15-64, total in Malaysia was reported at 25059539 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population ages 15-64, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, 21.8 percent of the population of Malaysia were children. Children here are defined as people between zero and 14 years of age. The share of children in Malaysia's population has been declining in the last decade.