Malaysia Population
East Asia & Pacific · 45th most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
36,509,329
The population of Malaysia is about 36,509,329 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 36.4 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.44% of the world's people.
Malaysia is the 45th most populous of 217 countries and territories. The population is still growing, by about 1.13% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 44.3 million. That is 4.6 times its 1960 population of 8.0 million. Population density is 111 people per square kilometre. 77% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
36.4 million
Yearly change
+1.13%
World rank
45th
Share of world
0.44%
Density
111/km²
Land area
328,550 km²
Life expectancy
76.8 yrs
Births per woman
1.54
GDP per capita
$13,125
GDP
$472.2B
Population of Malaysia, 1960–2050
Malaysia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7,956,197 | — | 24 |
| 1970 | 10,178,802 | +2.32% | 31 |
| 1980 | 12,983,363 | +2.82% | 40 |
| 1990 | 17,833,171 | +2.99% | 54 |
| 2000 | 22,967,816 | +2.37% | 70 |
| 2010 | 28,655,776 | +1.89% | 87 |
| 2020 | 33,889,558 | +1.34% | 103 |
| 2024 | 35,557,673 | +1.23% | 108 |
| 2026proj. | 36,385,115 | +1.13% | 111 |
| 2030proj. | 37,961,719 | +1.03% | 116 |
| 2040proj. | 41,509,644 | +0.79% | 126 |
| 2050proj. | 44,289,772 | +0.51% | 135 |
Malaysia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 4.9 times as many people as Malaysia. Bangladesh is 12.3 times more densely populated.
Malaysia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Malaysia in 2026?
About 36,385,115 (36.4 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Malaysia's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.13% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Malaysia?
About 111 people per km², with a land area of 328,550 km².
What will the population of Malaysia be in 2050?
About 44.3 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
What is the life expectancy in Malaysia?
76.8 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.