Malaysia has a population of roughly 34 million people in 2025, ranking it about the 44th most populous country in the world. Spread across Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, this Southeast Asian nation supports its 34 million residents at an average density of around 103 people per square kilometre — though that figure hides an enormous gap between the crowded west coast of the peninsula and the sparsely settled rainforests of East Malaysia.
How Many People Live in Malaysia?
Malaysia's population sits near 34 million in 2025, placing it among the mid-sized nations of Asia. For comparison, that is roughly six times the population of neighbouring Singapore, a little more than half that of Thailand, and slightly larger than Canada or Saudi Arabia. The country crossed the 30 million mark in the mid-2010s and has been climbing steadily since, driven by a combination of natural increase and a substantial foreign-worker population.
A notable feature of Malaysia's demographics is the role of non-citizens. Around 10 to 11 percent of the people counted within its borders are foreign nationals — many employed in plantations, construction, manufacturing, and domestic work. This makes Malaysia one of the more migration-dependent economies in the region, and the actual resident figure can vary depending on how undocumented workers are counted.
Population Growth and Trends
Malaysia's population is currently growing at roughly 1.1 percent per year, a moderate pace by global standards and a marked slowdown from the rapid expansion of the late twentieth century. The fertility rate has fallen dramatically, from about five children per woman in the 1970s to around 1.8 today — now below the replacement level of 2.1.
This decline reflects the same demographic transition seen across much of East and Southeast Asia: rising urbanisation, higher education levels, later marriage, and increasing living costs. In the 1980s, then–Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad famously promoted a "70 Million" policy, urging families to have more children so the country might one day reach that figure. Current projections are far more modest, with the population expected to plateau near 40 million by around 2050 before ageing accelerates.
Ethnic and Religious Diversity
Malaysia is one of the most multiethnic societies in Asia, and its population is best understood through this lens. The main groups are:
- Bumiputera (about 62%): ethnic Malays plus the Indigenous peoples of Borneo and the peninsula.
- Chinese Malaysians (about 21%): descendants of traders and labourers, concentrated in cities and commerce.
- Indian Malaysians (about 6%): largely of Tamil heritage, with roots in the colonial plantation era.
- Non-citizens (about 11%): foreign workers and residents.
Religion broadly tracks ethnicity. Islam is the official religion and is practised by roughly 62 percent of the population, while Buddhism (around 20%), Christianity (around 9%), and Hinduism (around 6%) form significant minorities. Malay is the national language, but English, Mandarin and other Chinese dialects, and Tamil are widely spoken — a reflection of the country's layered history of trade and migration. The median age is about 30 years, making Malaysia a relatively young but steadily ageing nation.
Where Malaysians Live
Population is highly uneven across Malaysia's two regions. Peninsular Malaysia, in the west, holds roughly 80 percent of the people on about 40 percent of the land. East Malaysia — the states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo — covers some 60 percent of the national territory yet is home to only about 20 percent of the population, much of it dispersed through rainforest and coastal towns.
The largest cities anchor the densely settled west coast:
- Kuala Lumpur: the capital, with around 2 million in the city proper and roughly 8 million in the surrounding Greater KL metro region.
- George Town (Penang): a UNESCO World Heritage city of about 740,000, famed for its colonial shophouses and street food.
- Johor Bahru: around half a million in the city and some 2 million across the metro, growing fast on cross-border spillover from neighbouring Singapore.
More than three-quarters of Malaysians now live in urban areas, a share that continues to rise as rural residents move toward jobs in the major conurbations.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 est.): ~34 million
- World rank: approximately 44th
- Annual growth rate: ~1.1%
- Population density: ~103 people per km²
- Capital and largest city: Kuala Lumpur
- Median age: ~30 years
For more on the country's geography, history, and culture, see our malaysia country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Malaysia in 2025?
Malaysia's population is approximately 34 million in 2025. This includes both citizens and a sizeable foreign-worker population that makes up roughly a tenth of the total.
What is the largest city in Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur is the largest city and the capital, with about 2 million residents in the city proper and around 8 million in the wider Greater Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area.
Is Malaysia's population growing or shrinking?
It is still growing, but slowly — at about 1.1 percent per year. With a fertility rate near 1.8, below replacement level, growth is expected to slow further and level off around 40 million by mid-century.
What is the main ethnic group in Malaysia?
The Bumiputera — chiefly ethnic Malays along with Indigenous Borneo and peninsular peoples — form the largest group at about 62 percent, followed by Chinese Malaysians (about 21%) and Indian Malaysians (about 6%).
