Malaysia Population 2023 (Live)

Malaysia is currently experiencing population growth at a rate that is gradually slowing down. Malaysia’s population is currently 32.37 million people. It is estimated that Malaysia’s population will peak in the year 2068 at 42.07 million people. Following 2069, the population will begin to steadily decline.

Malaysia’s population is growing at a rate of 1.30% as of 2020. This is significantly lower than its rate in 2000, which was 2.51%. This decrease in the population growth rate is expected to continue in the next few decades, slowing down population growth until the numbers plateau and eventually decline.

If Malaysia wants to continue to grow its population further than current projections and prevent an aging population, it will need to increase its fertility rate. The fertility rate is 2.01 births per woman, just under the population replacement rate.

Malaysia Area and Population Density

The surface area of Malaysia is approximately 127,722.6 square miles (330,800 square kilometers) with a population density as of 2016 of 95 individuals per square kilometer. Much of the population is denser around the coastal areas. See the map below for more visual information on Malaysia's population density.

Largest Cities in Malaysia

Roughly three-quarters of the Malaysian population live in urban areas, and there are several large cities. The capital of Kuala Lumpur is by far the largest city in the country with a population of 1.808 million. Although Kuala Lumpur is the only city with a population over one million, there are a handful of sizable cities with populations between 500,000 and one million including Seberang Perai, George Town, Ipoh, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Iskandar Puteri, Seremban, and Johor Bahru.

Malaysia is a federal state that has a monarchy system of governance. It is comprised of 13 large states and 3 different federal territories. Its area is about 330,803 square kilometers. The Malaysian land is divided into two parts, namely Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia, between which the South China Sea flows. Malaysia borders Brunei, Thailand, and Indonesia. Its sea borders Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia.

Malaysia Demographics

The population of Malaysia was 28,334,135 according to the 2010 census. This made Malaysia the 42nd most populated country in the world.

The infant mortality rate in 2012was 14.57 deaths per 1000, and life expectancy at birth in 2012 was 75 years in Malaysia. Five percent of the government social sector development budget is spent on health care to develop Malaysia into a medical tourism destination. Peninsular Malaysia has an urban population of 70%. This area consists of approximately 25 million Malaysians, and the population is mostly concentrated here. Kuala Lumpur is the capital and is also the center of financial and commercial activities.

Malaysia Religion, Economy and Politics

Malaysia consists of people of different cultures and religions. Only 50.4% of the population is Malay, and the rest is Bumiputera, Muslim, and other ethnic groups including majorities and minorities.

Malaysian nationality is only given to a child whose parents are both Malaysian. Dual nationality in Malaysia is not allowed.

Malaysia Population History

During the 1960s, the Malaysian population was recorded at 8.16 million, which gradually increased to 10.91 million in 1970. In 1980, the Malaysian population increased to 13.83 million, after which a drastic rise took place and the population reached 20.21 million in 1994. Finally, the population rate was 28.86 million in the year 2011.