Overview

POPULATION SIZE AND ANNUAL POPULATION GROWTH RATE

Malaysia’s total population in 2025 is estimated at 34.2 million as compared to 34.1 million in 2024 with a growth rate of 0.5 per cent. The Citizens population increased from 30.7 million in 2024 to 30.9 million in 2025 with the growth rate decreasing from 0.7 per cent to 0.6 per cent. The decline in the population growth rate was due to the lower number of Non-citizens from 3.39 million (2024) to 3.38 million (2025).

COMPOSITION OF POPULATION BY CITIZENSHIP

The composition of Citizens in 2025 increased slightly from 90.0 per cent (2024) to 90.1 per cent, while Non-citizens decreased to 9.9 per cent from 10.0 per cent over the same period.

POPULATION BY SEX

The number of males exceeded females at 18.0 million and 16.3 million respectively resulting in a sex ratio of 110 males for every 100 females. Between 2024 and 2025, the sex ratio was 102 males per 100 females for Citizens and 228 males per 100 females for Non-citizens. The higher sex ratio for Non-citizens was contributed by the high number of male foreign workers in Malaysia.

AGE STRUCTURE

The composition of population aged 15-64 years (working age) increased to 70.4 per cent (2025) from 70.2 per cent in 2024. The percentage of the population aged 65 years and over (old age) increased to 8.0 per cent from 7.6 per cent for the same period. Meanwhile, the composition of population aged 0-14 years (young age) in 2025 decreased from 22.2 per cent in 2024 to 21.6 per cent. The median age of Malaysia’s population reached 31.3 years in 2025, up from30.9 years in the previous year. 

DEPENDENCY RATIO

The total dependency ratio refers to the ratio of young age (0-14 years) and old age (65 years and over) that need to be supported for every 100 population aged 15-64 years (working age). The total dependency ratio decreased slightly from 42.5 (2024) to 42.1 (2025). This was due to the decline in young age (0-14 years) ratio from 31.6 (2024) to 30.7 in 2025.

On the contrary, old age dependency ratio (65 years and over) increased to 11.4 (2025) from 10.9 in 2024. This was contributed by the increase of old age composition from 7.6 per cent (2024) to 8.0 per cent in 2025. 

For interviews, press statement and clarification to the media, contact:
Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8090 4681

Not found what you looking for? Request data from us, through
Go to eStatistik
Email: data[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8885 7128 (data request)