Internal and international migration in Malaysia rose sharply in 2024, with the number of people aged one year and above who changed their place of residence increasing to 301,100, nearly double the 158,800 recorded in 2022, according to the Migration Survey Report, Malaysia, 2024 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The migration rate climbed to 0.9% in 2024 from 0.5% two years earlier, reflecting greater population mobility amid economic recovery and urban-centred growth. The survey, conducted in 2024 for the 2023–2024 reference period, provides detailed state-level data as well as demographic and socio-economic characteristics of migrants.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said internal migration continued to dominate, accounting for 63.5% of total migration in 2024, slightly higher than 62.3% in 2022. Johor recorded the highest share of internal migrants at 70.3%, followed by Selangor (69.5%) and Sabah (68.7%). In contrast, Putrajaya recorded the lowest proportion at 11.5%. Kuala Lumpur saw the largest increase in internal migration, rising by 65.5% compared with 2022.
Migration flows were overwhelmingly concentrated in urban areas. Urban-to-urban movements accounted for 84.6% of intra-state migration in 2024, up from 79.3% in 2022, underscoring the role of cities as key economic and employment hubs. This was followed by rural-to-rural migration (7.6%), urban-to-rural (7.2%) and rural-to-urban (0.6%). All states recorded urban-to-urban as the dominant flow, except Kelantan and Pahang, where urban-to-rural movements were highest. Melaka recorded 100% urban-to-urban migration, while Selangor (96.2%), Negeri Sembilan (94.7%) and Pulau Pinang (93.5%) also exceeded 90%.
Inter-state migration edged slightly lower to 30.2% in 2024 from 30.3% in 2022. Putrajaya recorded the highest proportion of inter-state migrants at 88.5%, followed by Kedah (60.3%) and Pahang (52.8%). While most states saw a decline, Johor, Kedah and Pahang bucked the trend, with Kedah recording the largest increase to 60.3% from 27.1% in 2022.
Selangor remained Malaysia’s main migration destination, recording the highest number of in-migrants at 97,600 people and a net gain of 8,400 migrants in 2024, compared with a net outflow in 2022. Most migrants into Selangor came from Kuala Lumpur (13,800), Negeri Sembilan (2,600) and Pulau Pinang (2,000). At the same time, Selangor also recorded the highest number of out-migrants at 89,200, mainly moving to Kuala Lumpur (6,600) and Johor (3,000). Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Pinang remained net sending regions, with net outflows of 7,600 and 4,200 people respectively.
International migration accounted for 6.3% of total migration in 2024, down from 7.4% in 2022. Seven states recorded increases in international migrants, led by Perak (31.2%), followed by Sabah (12.5%), Terengganu (9.8%), Pulau Pinang (9.3%), Kedah (2.9%), Johor (1.0%) and Pahang (1.4%).
In terms of demographics, the 25–34 age group dominated internal migration in 2024, accounting for 47.7% of movers, followed by those aged 1–14 years (43.3%) and 15–24 years (37.0%). Males made up the majority of internal migrants at 57.5%, compared with females at 42.5%. Older Malaysians aged 65 and above were the least likely to migrate.
Dr Mohd Uzir said following family remained the main reason for migration, though its share declined slightly to 46.2% from 47.3% in 2022. This was followed by environmental factors (26.1%), career opportunities (17.2%), marriage or divorce (3.7%) and education (3.0%).
