Kota Kinabalu (May 15) - Malaysia’s population is now estimated at 34.4 million people, reflecting continued demographic growth across the country as authorities monitor changing population patterns, gender ratios, and economic implications tied to urbanisation and migration.
According to the latest figures released by Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the country’s population increased by approximately 1.9 per cent compared to the previous year. The data also showed that there are currently 110 males for every 100 females nationwide, continuing Malaysia’s longstanding gender imbalance trend.
Malaysian citizens account for around 30.8 million of the total population, while non-citizens make up roughly 3.6 million people. The report further highlighted that the working-age population between 15 and 64 years old remains the largest demographic segment in the country.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Malaysia’s demographic structure still provides the country with a demographic dividend due to its relatively large workforce population. However, he also stressed the importance of preparing for future ageing population trends and ensuring balanced socioeconomic development.
The statistics showed that states with the largest populations remain concentrated in more urbanised regions such as Selangor, Johor, and Sabah, reflecting continued migration, economic activity, and population concentration in key growth areas.
Sabah remains among the states with the highest population totals in Malaysia, estimated at approximately 3.7 million people, placing it behind only Selangor and Johor in overall population size.
The data also revealed that Sabah continues recording one of the country’s highest male-to-female ratios, influenced partly by labour-intensive sectors and migration patterns linked to plantation, construction, fisheries, and industrial activities.
For Sabahans, the latest demographic figures underline both the opportunities and the growing pressures associated with a rapidly expanding population.
With Sabah now home to around 3.7 million residents, demand for housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and employment opportunities is expected to continue increasing, especially in urban districts such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau.
A growing working-age population could strengthen Sabah’s labour force and support economic sectors including tourism, agriculture, logistics, retail, and services. However, the benefits will depend heavily on whether sufficient jobs, infrastructure, and investment opportunities are created to absorb younger workers entering the economy.
Population growth may also intensify concerns involving urban congestion, housing affordability, water supply, electricity reliability, and healthcare access — issues already frequently raised in several parts of Sabah.
The continued presence of a large non-citizen population in Sabah is also likely to remain a politically and socially sensitive issue due to longstanding debates surrounding documentation, labour dependence, border management, and demographic balance within the state.
At the same time, Sabah’s youthful population profile could become an economic advantage if investments in education, technical skills, and digital industries are expanded effectively.
Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin noted that demographic data remains important in helping policymakers plan future development strategies and allocate resources more effectively across the country.
For Sabah, the latest population figures reinforce the growing need for balanced development policies that can accommodate rising demand while ensuring infrastructure, employment opportunities, and public services keep pace with the state’s expanding population.