Malaysia Population: How Many People Live in Malaysia?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Malaysia? The current Malaysia population is 35 557 673 people in 2024. Malaysia has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 7 956 197 people in 1960, the population has grown to 35 557 673 in 2023, representing a growth of 27 601 476 people (+346.9%).
The country reached its peak population of 35 557 673 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Malaysia's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Malaysia (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Malaysia's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Malaysia.
📊 Malaysia Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7 956 197 | |
| 1970 | 10 178 802 | +2 222 605 (+27.9%) |
| 1980 | 12 983 363 | +2 804 561 (+27.6%) |
| 1990 | 17 833 171 | +4 849 808 (+37.4%) |
| 2000 | 22 967 816 | +5 134 645 (+28.8%) |
| 2010 | 28 655 776 | +5 687 960 (+24.8%) |
| 2020 | 33 889 558 | +5 233 782 (+18.3%) |
| 2024 | 35 557 673 | +1 668 115 (+4.9%) |
This table presents Malaysia's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Malaysia without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Malaysia (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7 956 197 | |
| 1961 | 8 164 443 | +208 246 |
| 1962 | 8 380 172 | +215 729 |
| 1963 | 8 602 160 | +221 988 |
| 1964 | 8 828 406 | +226 246 |
| 1965 | 9 056 408 | +228 002 |
| 1966 | 9 284 688 | +228 280 |
| 1967 | 9 507 099 | +222 411 |
| 1968 | 9 725 281 | +218 182 |
| 1969 | 9 947 597 | +222 316 |
| 1970 | 10 178 802 | +231 205 |
| 1971 | 10 423 453 | +244 651 |
| 1972 | 10 676 835 | +253 382 |
| 1973 | 10 935 621 | +258 786 |
| 1974 | 11 200 906 | +265 285 |
| 1975 | 11 471 914 | +271 008 |
| 1976 | 11 750 097 | +278 183 |
| 1977 | 12 035 713 | +285 616 |
| 1978 | 12 328 157 | +292 444 |
| 1979 | 12 627 862 | +299 705 |
| 1980 | 12 983 363 | +355 501 |
| 1981 | 13 399 203 | +415 840 |
| 1982 | 13 832 798 | +433 595 |
| 1983 | 14 285 907 | +453 109 |
| 1984 | 14 759 009 | +473 102 |
| 1985 | 15 252 258 | +493 249 |
| 1986 | 15 760 419 | +508 161 |
| 1987 | 16 276 737 | +516 318 |
| 1988 | 16 796 605 | +519 868 |
| 1989 | 17 314 997 | +518 392 |
| 1990 | 17 833 171 | +518 174 |
| 1991 | 18 342 464 | +509 293 |
| 1992 | 18 834 572 | +492 108 |
| 1993 | 19 322 664 | +488 092 |
| 1994 | 19 820 446 | +497 782 |
| 1995 | 20 330 599 | +510 153 |
| 1996 | 20 850 087 | +519 488 |
| 1997 | 21 375 218 | +525 131 |
| 1998 | 21 906 713 | +531 495 |
| 1999 | 22 435 531 | +528 818 |
| 2000 | 22 967 816 | +532 285 |
| 2001 | 23 526 538 | +558 722 |
| 2002 | 24 102 477 | +575 939 |
| 2003 | 24 679 602 | +577 125 |
| 2004 | 25 256 772 | +577 170 |
| 2005 | 25 836 071 | +579 299 |
| 2006 | 26 417 909 | +581 838 |
| 2007 | 26 998 389 | +580 480 |
| 2008 | 27 570 059 | +571 670 |
| 2009 | 28 124 778 | +554 719 |
| 2010 | 28 655 776 | +530 998 |
| 2011 | 29 162 039 | +506 263 |
| 2012 | 29 662 831 | +500 792 |
| 2013 | 30 174 265 | +511 434 |
| 2014 | 30 696 137 | +521 872 |
| 2015 | 31 232 798 | +536 661 |
| 2016 | 31 789 685 | +556 887 |
| 2017 | 32 355 644 | +565 959 |
| 2018 | 32 910 967 | +555 323 |
| 2019 | 33 440 596 | +529 629 |
| 2020 | 33 889 558 | +448 962 |
| 2021 | 34 282 399 | +392 841 |
| 2022 | 34 695 493 | +413 094 |
| 2023 | 35 126 298 | +430 805 |
| 2024 | 35 557 673 | +431 375 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Malaysia from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Malaysia Population
What is the current population of Malaysia?
The population of Malaysia is estimated to be approximately 35 557 673 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Malaysia growing?
Malaysia has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.37% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 27 601 476 people (+346.9%) over this 64-year period.
How does Malaysia's population compare to other countries?
Malaysia ranks #88 in the world by population as of 2024, positioning it in the middle range of global population rankings. With 35 557 673 people, Malaysia accounts for approximately 0.04% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Malaysia changed over time?
Over the past decades, Malaysia's population has increased from 7 956 197 people in 1960 to 35 557 673 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 35 557 673 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Malaysia?
Malaysia achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 7 956 197 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 35 557 673 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 35 557 673 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 7 956 197 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Malaysia?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Malaysia include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Malaysia?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Malaysia from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.