Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country with a diverse population. As of 2026, the official population estimate is about 36.3 million. According to the 2020 census, there were 32,447,385 people including non-citizens, placing Malaysia as the 43rd most populous country globally. In 2025, around 6.2 million lived in East Malaysia and 27.8 million in Peninsular Malaysia. Population distribution is uneven, with about 79 percent of citizens residing in Peninsular Malaysia, which covers less than 40 percent of the country's total land area.
As of 2017, Malaysia's population was growing at an annual rate of 1.94 percent. Based on projections from the 2010 census, fertility rates among the three largest ethnic groups were estimated at 2.4 children per woman for Malays and Bumiputeras, 1.8 for Indians and 1.4 for Chinese. Malay fertility rates were about 40 percent higher than those of Indians and 56 percent higher than those of Chinese. By 2023, Malays and other Bumiputeras made up 69.9 percent of the population, while Chinese and Indians comprised 22.8 and 6.6 percent respectively.Demographic Transition in Malaysia, Demographic Statistics Division, Malaysia.
Although the absolute number of Chinese increased from 2.4 million in 1957 to 6.6 million in 2017, their proportion of the population has declined since independence, when they formed around 45 percent of Malaya. In contrast, the Malay population grew from approximately 3.1 million in 1957 to 15.5 million in 2017. Due to various socioeconomic factors, including differences in fertility rates, migration trends and policy dynamics, the share of non-Malay and non-Bumiputera communities, such as the Chinese and Indians, has gradually declined since 1957.
Population size and structure Censuses were taken in Malaysia in 1970, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The total population is around 32.4 million according to the 2020 census. The population distribution is highly uneven, with some 20 million residents concentrated in Peninsula Malaysia. 74.7% of the population is urban. Due to the rise in labour-intensive industries, Malaysia is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is about 10% of the Malaysian population. The exact numbers are unknown: there are a million legal foreign workers and perhaps another million unauthorised foreigners. The state of Sabah alone had nearly 25% of its 2.7 million population listed as illegal foreign workers in the last census. Sabah based NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million population, 2 million are illegal immigrants.
Additionally, according to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 155,700. Of this population, approximately 70,500 refugees and asylum seekers are from the Philippines, 69,700 from Burma, and 21,800 from Indonesia. The USCRI named Malaysia as one of the ten worst places for refugees on account of the country's discriminatory practices toward them. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia, to enforce its immigration law.
Population distribution by states and territories
Source: National Census 2000, Department of Statistics Malaysia.
In 2000
State Population Area (km2) Pop. density Urban pop. Bumiputra Chinese IndiansJohor 2,740,625 18,987 144 Kedah 1,649,756 9,425 175 Kelantan 1,313,014 15,024 87 Malacca 635,791 1,652 385 Negeri Sembilan 859,924 6,644 129 Pahang 1,288,376 35,965 36 Penang 1,313,449 1,031 1274 Perak 2,051,236 21,005 98 Perlis 204,450 795 257 Selangor 4,188,876 7,960 526 Terengganu 898,825 12,955 69 Sabah 2,603,485 73,619 35 Sarawak 2,071,506 124,450 17 FT Kuala Lumpur 1,379,310 243 5676 FT Labuan 76,067 92 827 FT Putrajaya 45,000 148 304 Putrajaya data is for 2004. Population estimates are rounded to the nearest hundred.
In 2010
Source: National Census 2010, Department of Statistics Malaysia State Population Area (km2) Pop. density Urban pop.(%) Bumiputra (%) Chinese (%) Indian (%)Johor 3,348,283 18,987 174 Kedah 1,890,098 9,425 199 Kelantan 1,459,994 15,024 97 Malacca 788,706 1,652 470 Negeri Sembilan 997,071 6,644 150 Pahang 1,443,365 35,965 40 Penang 1,520,143 1,031 1,500 Perak 2,258,428 21,005 110 Perlis 227,025 795 280 Selangor 5,411,324 7,960 670 Terengganu 1,015,776 12,955 69 Sabah 3,117,405 73,619 42 Sarawak 2,420,009 124,450 19 FT Kuala Lumpur 1,627,172 243 6,891 FT Labuan 86,908 92 950 FT Putrajaya 67,964 148 1,400
In 2020
Source: National Census 2020, Department of Statistics Malaysia State Population Area (km2) Pop. density Urban pop.(%) Bumiputra (%) Chinese (%) Indian (%)Johor 4,009,670 18,987 210 Kedah 2,131,427 9,425 225 Kelantan 1,792,501 15,024 119 Malacca 998,428 1,652 604 Negeri Sembilan 1,199,974 6,644 180 Pahang 1,591,295 35,965 44 Penang 1,740,405 1,031 1,686 Perak 2,496,041 21,005 119 Perlis 284,885 795 348 Selangor 6,994,423 7,960 882 Terengganu 1,149,440 12,955 89 Sabah 3,418,785 73,619 46 Sarawak 2,453,677 124,450 20 FT Kuala Lumpur 1,982,112 243 8,157 FT Labuan 95,120 92 1038 FT Putrajaya 109,202 49 2,215
In 2025
Source: Dosm. (n.d.). Department of Statistics Malaysia. https://www.dosm.gov.my/portal-main/release-content/current-population-estimates-2025 State Population Area (km2) Pop. density Bumiputra (%) Chinese (%) Indian (%)Johor 4,205,900 18,987 221 Kedah 2,228,000 9,425 236 Kelantan 1,907,700 15,024 126 Malacca 1,052,500 1,652 637 Negeri Sembilan 1,244,600 6,644 187 Pahang 1,678,200 35,965 46 Pulau Pinang 1,803,300 1,031 1,749 Perak 2,574,900 21,005 122 Perlis 297,800 795 374 Selangor 7,406,800 7,960 930 Terengganu 1,246,900 12,955 96 Sabah 3,759,600 73,619 51 Sarawak 2,529,800 124,450 20 FT Kuala Lumpur 2,074,100 243 8,535 FT Labuan 100,900 92 1096 FT Putrajaya 120,800 49 2,465
Population age distribution trends for 2001–2016
Year < 15 Years 15 - 64 Years > 64 Years Population (in millions) 2001 24.12 2002 24.72 2004 25.91 2005 26.48 2006 26.83 2007 27.00 2008 27.54 2009 27.90 2010 28.25 2015 31.20 2016 31.71
Data from July 2010.Population by Age Group (1963–2010), Department of Statistics Malaysia
Structure of the population
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal% Total 14 523 912 14 028 800 28 552 712 100 0–4 1 257 227 1 197 893 2 455 120 8.60 5–9 1 258 724 1 200 377 2 459 101 8.61 10–14 1 407 479 1 333 133 2 740 612 9.60 15–19 1 382 650 1 298 541 2 681 191 9.39 20–24 1 305 753 1 255 439 2 561 192 8.97 25–29 1 225 425 1 202 220 2 427 645 8.50 30–34 1 156 987 1 133 836 2 290 823 8.02 35–39 1 084 255 1 055 838 2 140 093 7.50 40–44 1 021 261 980 714 2 001 975 7.01 45–49 923 951 878 655 1 802 606 6.31 50–54 780 930 741 641 1 522 571 5.33 55–59 627 320 599 062 1 226 382 4.30 60–64 440 893 421 490 862 383 3.02 65–69 276 593 276 416 553 009 1.94 70–74 180 583 198 929 379 512 1.33 75–79 104 871 127 903 232 774 0.82 80–84 56 445 73 578 130 023 0.46 85–89 22 803 31 736 54 539 0.19 90+ 9 762 21 399 31 161 0.11Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent 0–14 3 923 430 3 731 403 7 654 833 26.81 15–64 9 949 425 9 567 436 19 516 861 68.35 65+ 651 057 729 961 1 381 018 4.84
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal% Total 15 994 299 15 001 407 30 995 706 100 0–4 1 342 280 1 250 354 2 592 634 8.36 5–9 1 290 296 1 220 033 2 510 329 8.10 10–14 1 361 753 1 289 823 2 651 576 8.55 15–19 1 467 520 1 374 861 2 842 381 9.17 20–24 1 666 826 1 512 363 3 179 189 10.26 25–29 1 636 156 1 453 738 3 089 894 9.97 30–34 1 421 538 1 277 508 2 699 046 8.71 35–39 1 122 020 1 012 167 2 134 187 6.89 40–44 966 696 919 886 1 886 582 6.09 45–49 866 201 857 006 1 723 207 5.56 50–54 802 194 754 597 1 556 791 5.02 55–59 662 308 642 015 1 304 323 4.21 60–64 504 442 495 056 999 498 3.22 65–69 370 875 378 953 749 828 2.42 70–74 225 299 236 337 461 636 1.49 75–79 151 764 168 867 320 631 1.03 80–84 73 949 85 206 159 155 0.51 85–89 38 547 47 792 86 339 0.28 90–94 13 383 14 359 27 742 0.09 95+ 10 252 10 486 20 738 0.07Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent 0–14 3 994 329 3 760 210 7 754 539 25.02 15–64 11 115 901 10 299 197 21 415 098 69.09 65+ 884 069 942 000 1 826 069 5.89
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal% Total 16 805 601 15 851 659 32 657 260 100 0–4 1 313 211 1 228 960 2 542 171 7.78 5–9 1 321 691 1 232 295 2 553 986 7.82 10–14 1 288 772 1 215 312 2 504 084 7.67 15–19 1 468 340 1 367 361 2 835 701 8.68 20–24 1 649 108 1 483 506 3 132 614 9.59 25–29 1 729 641 1 518 081 3 247 722 9.94 30–34 1 503 303 1 374 201 2 877 504 8.81 35–39 1 325 416 1 243 400 2 568 816 7.87 40–44 1 041 407 969 239 2 010 646 6.16 45–49 900 990 878 715 1 779 705 5.45 50–54 809 250 824 736 1 633 986 5.00 55–59 744 683 723 021 1 467 704 4.49 60–64 604 050 605 327 1 209 377 3.70 65–69 442 747 458 890 901 637 2.76 70–74 310 254 336 607 646 861 1.98 75–79 171 384 194 969 366 353 1.12 80–84 101 116 119 005 220 121 0.67 85+ 80 238 78 034 158 272 0.48Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent 0–14 3 923 674 3 676 567 7 600 241 23.27 15–64 11 776 188 10 987 587 22 763 775 69.71 65+ 1 105 739 1 187 505 2 293 244 7.02
Age distribution in Malaysia Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2024, July 31). Current Population Estimates. OpenDOSM. https://open.dosm.gov.my/publications/population_2024. Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2025. Current Population Estimates. OpenDOSM. Available at: https://open.dosm.gov.my/publications/population_2025 [Accessed 17 October 2025]. Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2023, July 31). Current Population Estimates: 2023. OpenDOSM. https://open.dosm.gov.my/publications/population_2023.
+ Age distribution of the Malay population in Malaysia, 2020–2025 Age groups 0–14 (%) 15–64 (%) 65-over (%) Total 2020 4,398,800 (26%) 11,434,100 (67.6%) 1,080,100 (6.4%) 16,913,000 2021 4,462,200 (25.9%) 11,643,600 (67.5%) 1,142,600 (6.6%) 17,248,400 2022 4,476,400 (25.7%) 11,763,700 (67.5%) 1,181,900 (6.8%) 17,422,000 2023 4,489,100 (25.5%) 11,893,600 (67.5%) 1,232,200 (7.0%) 17,614,900 2024 4,498,200 (25.3%) 12,028,800 (67.5%) 1,285,800 (7.2%) 17,812,800 2025 4,463,100 (24.8%) 12,161,700 (67.7%) 1,356,400 (7.5%) 17,981,200
+ Age distribution of the Chinese population in Malaysia, 2020–2025 Age groups 0–14 (%) 15–64 (%) 65-over (%) Total 2020 1,489,000 (21.6%) 4,801,000 (69.7%) 602,400 (8.7%) 6,892,400 2021 1,424,000 (20.7%) 4,835,600 (70.2%) 632,100 (9.1%) 6,891,700 2022 1,350,400 (19.6%) 4,868,200 (70.9%) 655,100 (9.5%) 6,873,700 2023 1,278,300 (18.6%) 4,903,700 (71.4%) 684,200 (10.0%) 6,866,200 2024 1,215,900 (17.7%) 4,927,900 (71.9%) 713,500 (10.4%) 6.857,300 2025 1,143,600 (16.7%) 4,951,000 (72.3%) 755,000 (11%) 6,849,600
+ Age distribution of the Indian population in Malaysia, 2020–2025 Age groups 0–14 (%) 15–64 (%) 65-over (%) Total 2020 446,300 (22.3%) 1,411,800 (70.7%) 140,700 (7%) 1,998,800 2021 431,400 (21.5%) 1,422,400 (71.1%) 148,800 (7.4%) 2,002,600 2022 414,700 (19.6%) 1,430,600 (70.9%) 154,600 (9.5%) 1,999,900 2023 400,000 (20%) 1,440,700 (71.9%) 162,000 (8.1%) 2,002,700 2024 386,100 (19.3%) 1,449,300 (72.2%) 169,700 (8.5%) 2,005,100 2025 368,500 (18.4%) 1,457,900 (72.6%) 179,700 (9%) 2,006,100
Major cities
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and largest city of Malaysia. Although many executive and judicial branches of the federal government have moved to Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia, making it the country's legislative capital. It is also the economic and business centre of the country, and is a primate city. Kuala Lumpur is also the only Alpha-rated global city in Malaysia. Along with Subang Jaya, Klang, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Kajang-Sungai Chua, Ampang Jaya and Selayang it forms the country's largest and most important urban area, the Klang Valley.