Malaysians born in 2025 can expect to live an average of 75.3 years, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia latest report.
Chief Statistician Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the report provides detailed life expectancy data by age group, ethnicity, sex, state, and—for the first time—by 156 administrative districts nationwide.
“On average, a baby girl born in 2025 is expected to live up to 77.9 years, 4.8 years longer than a baby boy, whose life expectancy stands at 73.1 years,” Dr. Uzir said in a statement.
State and District Variations
Selangor recorded the highest life expectancy for both men and women at the state level, while Terengganu reported the lowest. Four states—Selangor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Labuan and Sarawak—exceeded the national average in 2025.
At the district level, Samarahan, Sarawak registered the longest life expectancy at birth across all three years: 79.8 years (2023), 80.4 years (2024), and 80.9 years (2025). Conversely, Kecil Lojing, Kelantan (63.6 years in 2023), Kuala Penyu, Sabah (66.5 years in 2024), and Kanowit, Sarawak (66.5 years in 2025) recorded the lowest.
Overall, 30 out of 156 districts surpassed the national life expectancy. Among them, Kinabatangan, Sabah reported the highest for men (79.8 years), while Telupid, Sabah topped the female category (82.8 years).
Trends and Post-Pandemic Recovery
Between 2015 and 2019, life expectancy at birth in Malaysia increased by 0.2 years, with male figures unchanged at 72.5 years and female life expectancy rising by 0.3 years. However, during 2020–2022, life expectancy declined by 0.9 years, reflecting the impact of excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest data shows a rebound, with life expectancy rising by 1.3 years between 2023 and 2025, driven by a lower number of deaths compared to the pandemic years.
Life Expectancy by Age and Ethnicity
For those aged 15 in 2025, men are expected to live another 58.8 years (to 73.8 years), while women are projected to live another 63.6 years (to 78.6 years). At age 60, men can expect another 18.8 years (to 78.8 years), while women can expect another 21.6 years (to 81.6 years).
By ethnicity, Chinese Malaysians continued to record the longest life expectancy at birth in 2025 at 77.3 years, while Indians registered the lowest at 71.8 years. Among Malays and Chinese, Selangor consistently reported the highest life expectancy compared to other states.
Dr. Uzir said the findings highlight both Malaysia’s improving health outcomes and the demographic challenges ahead, as longer life spans require policies that strengthen healthcare, social support, and retirement planning.
