Overview

Children Statistics, Malaysia, 2024 presents selected statistics on population, health, education, child protection and children involved in crime. These statistics are among the indicators used in measuring the children’s quality of life and well-being in accordance with the concepts and guidelines recommended by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

• According to the 2025 population estimates, Malaysia is home to 9.03 million children under the age of 18, representing 26.4 per cent of the total population of 34.23 million. Of these, 4.66 million are boys and 4.37 million are girls. Children under five years of age total 2.31 million.
• W.P. Putrajaya recorded the highest percentage of children under 18 (39.9%), followed by Kelantan (33.5%) and Terengganu (32.9%). Selangor recorded the highest number of children at 1.81 million, while W.P. Labuan recorded the lowest at 0.03 million.
• In terms of health, infant immunisation coverage declined in 2024 across all five major immunisations. Coverage for Polio, DTP, HIB and Hepatitis B each fell by 6.1 percentage points, while BCG declined by 0.3 percentage points. 
• The number of registered Child Care Centres (TASKA) increased by 1.4 per cent to 3,198 in 2024. Johor recorded the highest growth at 29.4 per cent, while W.P. Putrajaya experienced the largest decrease at21.0 per cent. Government and government-aided school enrolment declined by 0.2 per cent, with a 3.0 per cent drop at the upper secondary level. Private school enrolment also decreased by 0.3 per cent, primarily due to a3.4 per cent decline in kindergarten enrolment. 
• The number of children in need of care and protection rose by 12.7 per cent to 9,624 cases in 2024. Girls accounted for 6,031 cases, while boys saw a sharper increase of 15.2 per cent as compared to 11.3 per cent among girls.
• The number of children involved in crime decreased by 4.2 per cent to 2,627 cases. Bumiputera children made up the majority at 82.2 per cent, followed by Chinese (9.0%), Indians (4.9%) and Others (4.1%).

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