Malaysia Population

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Population Distribution

As of 2023, the latest population of Malaysia is 32,652,083, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).

Total population	32,652,083
Population growth rate	1.29%
Birth rate	19.10 births per 1,000 people
Life expectancy
Overall	74.28 years
Men	71.51 years
Women	77.24 years
Age structure
0-14 years	27.48%
15-64 years	66.17%
65 years and above	6.35%
Median age	27.90 years
Gender ratio (Male to Female)	1.03
Population density	98.99 residents per km²
Urbanization	63.90%
Ethnicities
67% Malay (Bumiputera), 25% Chinese, 7% Indian and others
Religions
Muslims 61.3% Buddhists 19.8% Christians 9.2% Hindus 6.3% Confucians, Taoists, other Chinese religions 1.3% Other 1.3% No religious affiliation 0.8% (2010)
Human Development Index (HDI)	0.804
HDI ranking	61st out of 194

People in Malaysia

Malaysian, Malay or Orang Asli?

Most of Malaysia’s nearly 32 million people live in Western Malaysia. Only 20 percent of the residents live in the eastern part of the country. The residents of Malaysia are called Malaysians. They must not be confused with the Malays, the largest ethnic group in the country. 58 out of 100 people are Malays. They are Muslim and speak the Malay language.

Malaysia is a country of many peoples and religions. 10 out of 100 are indigenous groups. The Orang Asli, which means “indigenous people” or indigenous people, live in the rainforest of West Malaysia. These are the people who have always lived there and who did not immigrate at some point like others.

The Orang Asli themselves are composed of several ethnic groups. They can be found mainly in the mountainous regions of the island and mostly live under very simple conditions. In the “Tman Negara” National Park, they can largely still lead their original life even under protection.

The indigenous population in eastern Malaysia, on Borneo, is called Dayak. They too are made up of several ethnic groups. Dayak also live across national borders in Brunei and Indonesia.

Mixed colors!

A third of the population of Malaysia has immigrated from China. Most of the Chinese came to work in the mines at the call of the British. Many Chinese are involved in trade and industry.

Some residents of Malaysia are also from India. Eight out of 100 people who live in Malaysia are Indian. They came at the end of the 19th century, at a time when the British were boosting rubber production. They worked as laborers in the fields. While the Chinese often hold important positions in the economy, many Indians live with poorly paid jobs.

The coexistence of people works to a large extent, but is not free from tension either. Certain ethnic groups are oppressed and do not have the same opportunities as the Malay, the Muslim population of Malaysia. So there are always heated discussions and arguments.

The plight of the migrant workers

Migrant workers who only work temporarily in Malaysia and who often come there out of need in their homeland are also discriminated against. They come from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam or Bangladesh. Often these people work as maids or in construction. Most of the time they are treated badly and have few or no rights. Their families are mostly dependent on their jobs, so they don’t defend themselves. And even if they earn badly, they still earn more than in their home country. So their need is often taken advantage of.

Languages in Malaysia

 

Religions in Malaysia

Most of the people in Malaysia are Muslim. The Islam is the state religion. The Chinese living in the country are mostly Buddhists and the Indians are Hindus. There are Christians too, albeit in a small minority. Primitive peoples have their own beliefs that are strongly influenced by nature. Officially, all religions are allowed in Malaysia, but Islam is the strongest religion because of its widespread distribution and some work is also given to Muslims rather than to people of other faiths. But this is not openly expressed.

Malaysia Overview

Malaysia, located in Southeast Asia, is renowned for its diverse culture, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant cuisine. Its capital city, Kuala Lumpur, is famous for its iconic Petronas Twin Towers, bustling street markets, and rich cultural heritage reflected in its mosques and temples. Malaysia is known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and biodiverse marine life, offering opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure activities such as jungle trekking and scuba diving. The country’s multicultural society, with influences from Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous cultures, contributes to its dynamic culinary scene, where flavors from various traditions blend harmoniously.

• Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
• Population: Approximately 32.7 million
• Area: 330,803 square kilometers
• Full Country Name: Malaysia
• Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
• Language: Malay (official), English, Chinese, Tamil
• ISO Country Codes: MY, MYS

Bordering Countries of Malaysia

Malaysia is bordered by three countries: Thailand, Brunei, and Indonesia. Thailand is located to the north of Malaysia, with a border of 506 miles. It is a country with a long history of Buddhism and culture, as well as having stunning natural beauty including islands and beaches. The capital city of Bangkok is known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling markets.

Brunei lies to the northeast of Malaysia, sharing a border that spans 270 miles. Brunei has been ruled by the same family since the 14th century and is known for its strict laws and regulations regarding Islam. Despite this, Brunei has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world due to its exports of oil and gas.

Indonesia lies to the south of Malaysia with a border stretching 1,782 miles. It consists of more than 17 thousand islands making it one of the most populous countries in the world. Indonesia is known for its diverse culture as it consists of many ethnic groups such as Javanese, Sundanese, Madurese, Balinese and more. In addition to this fascinating culture, Indonesia also boasts stunning natural beauty including volcanoes like Mount Bromo or Krakatau as well as unique wildlife like Komodo dragons or Sumatran tigers.

Overall, Malaysia has three neighboring countries that all offer something unique for travelers who want to explore Southeast Asia’s diversity further than just Malaysia itself. From Thailand’s bustling cities to Brunei’s wealth or Indonesia’s culture and nature – there are plenty of opportunities for exploration in these bordering countries.