Malaysia’s total population grew modestly to 34.3 million in the third quarter of 2025, up from 34.1 million a year ago, marking a slower growth rate of 0.5% compared to 1.6% in the same period last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The citizen population increased slightly to 90.1% (Q3 2024: 90.0%), while the non-citizen share eased to 9.9%. The population comprised 18.0 million males and 16.3 million females, giving an overall sex ratio of 110 males for every 100 females.
The report also highlighted Malaysia’s ongoing demographic transition. The older population (aged 65 and above) rose to 8.0% from 7.8%, while the youth segment (0–14 years) declined to 21.6% (Q3 2024: 22.0%). The working-age group (15–64 years) accounted for 70.4% of the total population.
Ethnic Composition and Demographic Shifts
By ethnicity, Malays accounted for 58.2% of the population (Q3 2024: 58.1%), followed by Chinese (22.2%), Other Bumiputera (12.3%), and Indians (6.5%).
Among the Other Bumiputera, Sabah Bumiputera made up 55.3% and Sarawak Bumiputera 32.3%, with the largest subgroups being Kadazan/Dusun, Bajau, and Iban communities.
Births Continue to Decline
Live births declined by 7.8% year-on-year, totalling 95,469 births (Q3 2024: 103,594).
Selangor led with 18,019 births (18.9%), while Labuan had the lowest at 316 (0.3%).
Most births (50.8%) were to mothers aged 30–39, followed by those aged 20–29 (42%).
By ethnicity, Malay births made up 69% of total live births, while Chinese and Indian births declined to 7.9% and 3.9%, respectively.
Fewer Deaths Recorded
The number of deaths fell 5.6% year-on-year to 46,643 (Q3 2024: 49,399).
Male deaths totalled 26,740, compared to 19,903 females, with a mortality sex ratio of 134 males per 100 females.
The majority of deaths (69.9%) occurred among those aged 60 and above.
Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths at 7,344, while Putrajaya had the lowest with 60.
By ethnicity, Malays accounted for 52.3% of total deaths, followed by Chinese (26.1%), Other Bumiputera (11.1%), and Indians (8.0%).
Ageing Nation
The data underscores Malaysia’s gradual shift toward an ageing population, with rising longevity and lower fertility rates contributing to a narrowing base of younger citizens. Analysts note that such demographic changes could influence labour market dynamics, healthcare demand, and social policy planning in the years ahead.
