What is the population of Malaysia: latest data and hot spot analysis in 2024
As one of the important economies in Southeast Asia, Malaysia's demographic structure and development trends have always attracted much attention. This article will combine the latest data and hot topics across the Internet to provide you with a detailed analysis of Malaysia's population status, growth trends and related social issues.
1. Total population and growth rate of Malaysia

| Year | Total population (10,000 people) | annual growth rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3,240 | 1.3% |
| 2021 | 3,280 | 1.2% |
| 2022 | 3,320 | 1.1% |
| 2023 | 3,350 | 0.9% |
| 2024(forecast) | 3,380 | 0.8% |
According to the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, as of early 2024, the total population of Malaysia is approximately33.8 million, the population growth rate shows a trend of slowing down year by year. This phenomenon is consistent with the global environment of declining fertility rates.
2. Population structure characteristics
| age group | Proportion | Number of people (10,000) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-14 years old | 23.5% | 794.3 |
| 15-64 years old | 69.4% | 2,345.7 |
| Over 65 years old | 7.1% | 240.0 |
Malaysia is in theDemographic dividend period, the working-age population aged 15-64 accounts for nearly 70%, which provides favorable conditions for economic development. However, it is worth noting that the proportion of the population over 65 years old has exceeded 7%. According to international standards, Malaysia has begun to enter an aging society.
3. Ethnic composition and distribution
| ethnic group | Proportion | main settlement |
|---|---|---|
| Malay | 69.1% | Whole territory |
| Chinese | 22.6% | Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh |
| indian | 6.6% | Selangor, Johor |
| Others | 1.7% | Sabah, Sarawak |
Malaysia is a multicultural country with three major ethnic groups maintaining their own unique cultural traditions. Recent posts on social media about"Malaysian Chinese population declining"The topic has sparked heated discussions. Data shows that the proportion of Chinese has indeed dropped from 37% in 1957 to 22.6% currently. This trend is related to differences in fertility rates and immigration waves.
4. Urban population and urbanization rate
| city | Population (10,000 people) | National proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 180 | 5.3% |
| george town | 75 | 2.2% |
| Johor Bahru | 68 | 2.0% |
| Ipoh | 65 | 1.9% |
Malaysia’s urbanization rate has reached77%, higher than the Southeast Asian average. As the capital and economic center, Kuala Lumpur attracts a large number of foreign residents. The recent hot topic of "house price rise" is closely related to urban population agglomeration. In particular, house prices in the Klang Valley have increased by an average of 35% in the past five years.
5. Hot social issues
1.Foreign labor policy controversy: There are approximately 2.5 million foreign workers in Malaysia, accounting for 15% of the labor market. Recent news that the government plans to tighten foreign labor policies has caused concern in the business community.
2.fertility incentives: In response to the declining fertility rate (1.7 in 2023), the government is considering expanding childcare subsidies and maternity leave policies. This topic has been widely discussed on social platforms.
3.Medical resource allocation: As the population ages and the pressure on public hospitals increases, medical reform has become the focus of recent parliamentary debates.
4.Brain drain problem: According to statistics, about 50,000 professionals immigrate overseas every year, with Singapore being the main destination. The phenomenon of "brain loss" has attracted attention from all walks of life.
Conclusion
Malaysia's population development shows diversified characteristics. It not only has the advantage of demographic dividend, but also faces challenges such as aging and brain drain. Understanding these demographic data will help to grasp the socio-economic development trends in Malaysia. In the future, population policy adjustments and urban planning will become key factors affecting national competitiveness.
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