Data / Malaysia / Profile

Malaysia in figures

A profile of Malaysia from official statistics: 20 figures in 4 sections, each with its period, its change from a year earlier, its rank among similar places where a ranking exists, and its source.

Figures last updated on 2026-10-12.

People

Population in Malaysia was 35.98 million in 2025, up 1.2% from 2024, and the 45th highest of 215 countries.

Population35.98 million2025Up 1.2% from 2024The 45th highest of 215 countries
Population growth rate1.23%2023Up 0.04 percentage points from 2022The 96th highest of 215 countries
Median age, July 1 estimate30.06 years2023, estimatedUp 0.48 years from 2022The 110th lowest of 236 countries
Population aged 65 and over7.5%2023Up 0.3 percentage points from 2022
Population density108.2 inhabitants per km²2024Up 1.2% from 2023
Net migration181,0712023Compared with 188,154 in 2022
22.5M25M27.5M30M32.5M35M37.5M20012005200920132017202120252001: 23,526,538 persons2002: 24,102,477 persons2003: 24,679,602 persons2004: 25,256,772 persons2005: 25,836,071 persons2006: 26,417,909 persons2007: 26,998,389 persons2008: 27,570,059 persons2009: 28,124,778 persons2010: 28,655,776 persons2011: 29,162,039 persons2012: 29,662,831 persons2013: 30,174,265 persons2014: 30,696,137 persons2015: 31,232,798 persons2016: 31,789,685 persons2017: 32,355,644 persons2018: 32,910,967 persons2019: 33,440,596 persons2020: 33,889,558 persons2021: 34,282,399 persons2022: 34,695,493 persons2023: 35,126,298 persons2024: 35,557,673 persons2025: 35,977,838 persons
Population, 2001 to 2025. persons. Source: World Bank, Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL).

Sources: World Bank, Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL); World Bank, Population growth, annual % (SP.POP.GROW); United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition. Median age on 1 July, modelled estimates 1950 to 2023; projections excluded; World Bank, Population ages 65 and above, % of total population (SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS); World Bank, Population density, people per km² of land area (EN.POP.DNST); World Bank, Net migration (SM.POP.NETM). Population and demography statistics and rankings

Work and income

Unemployment rate in Malaysia was 3.9% in 2022, down 0.7 percentage points from 2021.

Unemployment rate3.9%2022Down 0.7 percentage points from 2021
Employment-population ratio, ages 15 and over63.6%2025Up 0.1 percentage points from 2024The 45th highest of 181 countries
Poverty rate at the national poverty line5.1%2023No 2022 figure to compareThe 4th lowest of 72 countries in 2021
Labor force participation rate, ages 15 and over66.1%2025Up less than 0.1 percentage points from 2024
Gini index (World Bank, income or consumption)40.72021No 2020 figure to compare
22.533.544.5519972001200520102014201820221997: 2.45 %1998: 3.2 %1999: 3.43 %2000: 3 %2001: 3.53 %2002: 3.48 %2003: 3.61 %2004: 3.54 %2005: 3.54 %2007: 3.23 %2008: 3.34 %2009: 3.69 %2010: 3.25 %2011: 3.06 %2012: 3.04 %2013: 3.11 %2014: 2.88 %2015: 3.1 %2016: 3.4 %2017: 3.36 %2018: 3.3 %2019: 3.3 %2020: 4.5 %2021: 4.6 %2022: 3.9 %
Unemployment rate, 1997 to 2022. %. Source: International Labour Organization, Unemployment rate by sex and age, total, 15 and over, annual (DF_UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_RT).

Sources: International Labour Organization, Unemployment rate by sex and age, total, 15 and over, annual (DF_UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_RT); World Bank, Employment to population ratio, 15+, total, %, modeled ILO estimate (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS); World Bank, Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines, % of population (SI.POV.NAHC); World Bank, Labor force participation rate, total, % of total population ages 15+, modeled ILO estimate (SL.TLF.CACT.ZS); World Bank, Gini index (SI.POV.GINI). Labor market statistics and rankings

Economy

GDP (US dollars) in Malaysia was $472.19 billion in 2025, up 11.8% from 2024, and the 37th highest of 199 countries in 2024.

Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars$472.19 billion2025Up 11.8% from 2024The 37th highest of 199 countries in 2024
GDP per capita, US dollars$13,1252025Up 10.5% from 2024The 86th highest of 199 countries in 2024
Real GDP growth5.2%2025Up 0.1 percentage points from 2024The 39th highest of 199 countries in 2024
GDP per capita, PPP (international dollars)41,498 international $2025Up 6.9% from 2024
Trade as a share of GDP136.4%2025Down 1 percentage point from 2024
0100K200K300K400K500K20012005200920132017202120252001: 92,783.9 USD million2002: 100,845.5 USD million2003: 110,202.4 USD million2004: 124,749.5 USD million2005: 143,534.4 USD million2006: 162,692.3 USD million2007: 193,549.6 USD million2008: 230,811.6 USD million2009: 202,257.5 USD million2010: 255,017.6 USD million2011: 297,951.7 USD million2012: 314,443 USD million2013: 323,276.2 USD million2014: 338,066.1 USD million2015: 301,355.3 USD million2016: 301,256 USD million2017: 319,109.1 USD million2018: 358,788.8 USD million2019: 365,177.7 USD million2020: 337,456.2 USD million2021: 373,784.6 USD million2022: 407,830.5 USD million2023: 399,949.4 USD million2024: 422,227 USD million2025: 472,193.1 USD million
Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars, 2001 to 2025. USD million. Source: World Bank, GDP, current US$ (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD).

Sources: World Bank, GDP, current US$ (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD); World Bank, GDP per capita, current US$ (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD); World Bank, GDP growth, annual % (NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG); World Bank, GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) (NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD); World Bank, Trade, % of GDP (NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS). Economy statistics and rankings

Health

Life expectancy in Malaysia was 76.66 years in 2023, up 1.21 years from 2022, and the 84th highest of 215 countries.

Life expectancy at birth76.66 years2023Up 1.21 years from 2022The 84th highest of 215 countries
Infant mortality rate7 per 1,000 live births2024Up 0.1 per 1,000 live births from 2023Tied for the 59th lowest of 195 countries
Adult obesity rate, age-standardized23.3%2024Up 0.7 percentage points from 2023The 93rd highest of 199 countries
Tobacco use, age-standardized17.1%2023Down 0.3 percentage points from 2022
72737475767719992003200720112015201920231999: 72.43 years2000: 72.73 years2001: 73.08 years2002: 73.47 years2003: 73.73 years2004: 74.03 years2005: 74.37 years2006: 74.7 years2007: 74.96 years2008: 75.15 years2009: 75.27 years2010: 75.38 years2011: 75.49 years2012: 75.55 years2013: 75.46 years2014: 75.35 years2015: 75.29 years2016: 75.37 years2017: 75.54 years2018: 75.73 years2019: 75.9 years2020: 76.06 years2021: 73.92 years2022: 75.44 years2023: 76.66 years
Life expectancy at birth, 1999 to 2023. years. Source: World Bank, Life expectancy at birth, total, years (SP.DYN.LE00.IN).

Sources: World Bank, Life expectancy at birth, total, years (SP.DYN.LE00.IN); World Bank, Mortality rate, infant, per 1,000 live births (SP.DYN.IMRT.IN); World Health Organization, Age-standardized prevalence of obesity among adults (18+ years), both sexes (NCD_BMI_30A); World Health Organization, Age-standardized prevalence of tobacco use among persons 15 years and older (%), both sexes (M_Est_tob_curr_std). Health statistics and rankings

Sources and citations

Each figure comes from the table cited here. Cite the publisher; these citations include any notice the publisher requires.

  1. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  2. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Population growth, annual % (SP.POP.GROW). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  3. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition. Median age on 1 July, modelled estimates 1950 to 2023; projections excluded. Modelled estimate. https://population.un.org/wpp/assets/Excel%20Files/1_Indicator%20(Standard)/CSV_FILES/WPP2024_Demographic_Indicators_Medium.csv.gz. Retrieved 2026-10-10. CC BY 3.0 IGO.
  4. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Population ages 65 and above, % of total population (SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  5. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Population density, people per km² of land area (EN.POP.DNST). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EN.POP.DNST. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  6. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Net migration (SM.POP.NETM). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.NETM. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  7. International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT. Unemployment rate by sex and age, total, 15 and over, annual (DF_UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_RT). https://data.ilo.org/vis?df%5Bds%5D=ds-production&df%5Bid%5D=DF_UNE_DEAP_SEX_AGE_RT&df%5Bag%5D=ILO (Accessed on 2026-10-12). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  8. World Bank, World Development Indicators, modelled estimate. Employment to population ratio, 15+, total, %, modeled ILO estimate (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  9. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines, % of population (SI.POV.NAHC). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.NAHC. Retrieved 2026-10-12. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  10. World Bank, World Development Indicators, modelled estimate. Labor force participation rate, total, % of total population ages 15+, modeled ILO estimate (SL.TLF.CACT.ZS). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  11. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Gini index (SI.POV.GINI). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  12. World Bank, World Development Indicators. GDP, current US$ (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  13. World Bank, World Development Indicators. GDP per capita, current US$ (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  14. World Bank, World Development Indicators. GDP growth, annual % (NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  15. World Bank, World Development Indicators. GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) (NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  16. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Trade, % of GDP (NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  17. World Bank, World Development Indicators. Life expectancy at birth, total, years (SP.DYN.LE00.IN). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Retrieved 2026-10-09. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  18. World Bank, World Development Indicators, modelled estimate. Mortality rate, infant, per 1,000 live births (SP.DYN.IMRT.IN). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
  19. World Health Organization, data.who.int. Age-standardized prevalence of obesity among adults (18+ years), both sexes (NCD_BMI_30A) [Indicator]. https://data.who.int/indicators/i/C6262EC/BEFA58B (Accessed on 2026-10-12). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. No changes made to source values. WHO does not endorse Invokely or this use of the data.
  20. World Health Organization, data.who.int. Age-standardized prevalence of tobacco use among persons 15 years and older (%), both sexes (M_Est_tob_curr_std) [Indicator]. https://data.who.int/indicators/i/847662C/75DDA77 (Accessed on 2026-10-12). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. No changes made to source values. WHO does not endorse Invokely or this use of the data.

Use this data in your AI agent

Invokely serves this figure to AI assistants through MCP and to code through a REST API, with the source and citation attached. Ask your assistant:

Give me an overview of Malaysia with the latest official figures and their sources.
get_place_profile {"place":"Malaysia"}
GET https://invokely.ai/api/v1/profile?place=my

Connect Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor in one step. The trial answers 25 calls a day without an account.

All statistics for Malaysia