Malaysia has experienced steady population growth over the past several decades, driven by a combination of natural increase and, to a lesser extent, migration. As of 2023, Malaysia's population is estimated at around 33 million people, up from approximately 23 million in the year 2000. The country's population growth rate has gradually slowed, dropping from over 2% annually in the early 2000s to around 1.5% in recent years, reflecting declining fertility rates and an aging demographic profile. Urbanization has also played a significant role, with the majority of Malaysians now living in urban areas, particularly in and around Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru. Despite the slowing growth, Malaysia remains one of Southeast Asia’s more populous nations, with a diverse population made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, and various indigenous groups.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 6,433,799 | 19.6 |
| 1955 | 7,311,720 | 22.2 |
| 1960 | 8,428,493 | 25.6 |
| 1965 | 9,647,654 | 29.4 |
| 1970 | 10,910,216 | 33.2 |
| 1975 | 12,130,960 | 36.9 |
| 1980 | 13,460,089 | 41 |
| 1985 | 15,685,144 | 47.7 |
| 1990 | 17,999,653 | 54.8 |
| 1995 | 20,499,808 | 62.4 |
| 2000 | 23,332,868 | 71 |
| 2005 | 26,261,658 | 79.9 |
| 2010 | 29,062,898 | 88.4 |
| 2015 | 31,241,608 | 95.1 |
| 2020 | 33,164,013 | 100.9 |
| 2022 | 33,871,431 | 103.1 |
| 2023 | 34,219,975 | 104.1 |
| 2024 | 34,564,810 | 105.2 |
| 2025 | 34,905,275 | 106.2 |
| 2030 | 36,519,679 | 111.1 |
| 2035 | 37,957,793 | 115.5 |
| 2040 | 39,217,435 | 119.3 |
| 2045 | 40,325,234 | 122.7 |
| 2050 | 41,286,972 | 125.6 |
| 2055 | 42,087,828 | 128.1 |
| 2060 | 42,716,266 | 130 |
| 2065 | 43,164,952 | 131.3 |
| 2070 | 43,432,280 | 132.2 |
| 2075 | 43,526,973 | 132.4 |
| 2080 | 43,472,449 | 132.3 |
| 2085 | 43,302,138 | 131.8 |
| 2090 | 43,056,482 | 131 |
| 2095 | 42,776,333 | 130.2 |
| 2100 | 42,490,385 | 129.3 |
Data from US Census International Database