Malaysia's population grows by 0.9% year-on-year as of Q1 2025

In the first quarter of this year, Malaysia's population reached 30.8mn citizens and 3.4mn non-citizens.

Malaysia's population saw a growth of 0.9% from 33.9mn in the first quarter of 2024 to 34.2mn in Q1 2025, as stated by the Department of Statistics. This, according to the latest Demographic Statistics, First Quarter 2025 report, and Chief Statistician Malaysia, Dato' Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, was a slower rate of growth compared to the 2% seen in Q1 2024 yoy.

The report noted that the total population now comprises 30.8mn (90.1%) citizens and 3.4mn (9.9%) non-citizens. The population of males has increased to 17.9mn from 17.8mn in the first quarter 2024 while that of females rose to 16.2mn from 16.1mn in the same period. The overall sex ratio of the population was 111 males per 100 females while sex ratio for citizens was 103 males per 100 females.

The report added: "The composition of old population (65 years and over) increased from 7.6% to 7.7% in the first quarter 2025. Meanwhile, young age population (0-14 years) recorded a decrease from 22.3% to 22.2%. The working age population (15-64 years) remained unchanged at 70.1% during the same period."

The Chief Statistician of Malaysia added that birth rates and total fertility rate (TFR) have been declining globally in recent years, with more countries reporting TFRs below the replacement level, which is 2.1 children per woman between the ages of 15-49 years. This phenomenon poses major challenges to demographic structures, economic growth and social balance at the global and national levels.

"Several countries such as Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, China and Russia have experienced a decline in TFR below replacement level, leading to concerns about population ageing, population decline and workforce. Various integrated policies related to population, fertility and family support have been introduced to address this issue.

"Republic of Korea has extended the duration of maternity leave to three months, offered paid childcare leave for up to a year, and provided financial incentives and tax deductions. These measures have begun to show positive effects in efforts to boost the country's birth rate. In addition, Thailand also increased tax exemptions for families with two or more children to encourage higher birth rates," he added.

The report also highlighted the demographic statistics according to state, as follows:

Per the data, Selangor (21.6%), Johor (12.3%) and Sabah (11.0%) recorded higher number of populations in the first quarter of 2025.

READ MORE: Malaysia's economy holds steady amid global uncertainty: DOSM 

Lead image / DOSM