Malaysia Fertility Rate
Total fertility rate SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
Malaysia's fertility rate was 1.39 in 2025, ranked 169th globally. This represents a 10.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's fertility rate stood at 1.39 in 2025, a decline of +0.16 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.39 by 2025. Malaysia ranked 169th globally.
Malaysia’s total fertility rate has fallen dramatically over the 65‑year span from 6.41 in 1960, the all‑time peak, to 1.39 in 2025, the lowest level recorded and the 169th lowest globally. This decline represents a reduction of 5.02 births per woman, reflecting sustained urbanisation, higher female education, and expanded access to family‑planning services. The 2025 figure aligns closely with peer jurisdictions such as the Channel Islands (1.39) and the Netherlands (1.40), placing Malaysia among the most sub‑replacement fertility contexts worldwide. The long‑term downward trajectory mirrors regional patterns in East and Southeast Asia, where fertility rates have similarly contracted since the 1970s. If current socioeconomic conditions persist, the fertility rate is likely to remain below replacement level, although policy interventions aimed at improving child‑care affordability or encouraging higher labour‑force participation among women could modestly lift the rate in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Fertility Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.33 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.39 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.39 | −0.16 | #169 |
| 2023 | 1.55 | +0.00 | #76 |
| 2022 | 1.55 | −0.00 | #66 |
| 2021 | 1.56 | −0.13 | #56 |
| 2020 | 1.68 | −0.10 | #81 |
| 2019 | 1.78 | −0.06 | #87 |
| 2018 | 1.84 | −0.05 | #91 |
| 2017 | 1.89 | −0.05 | #92 |
| 2016 | 1.94 | −0.07 | #92 |
| 2015 | 2.01 | −0.05 | #93 |
| 2014 | 2.06 | −0.01 | #95 |
| 2013 | 2.07 | −0.05 | #96 |
| 2012 | 2.12 | −0.04 | #101 |
| 2011 | 2.15 | +0.01 | #101 |
| 2010 | 2.14 | −0.08 | #95 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fertility rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's fertility rate was 1.39 in 2025. Ranked 169th globally. This represents a 10.4% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's fertility rate peaked at 6.41 in 1960.
The lowest fertility rate in Malaysia was 1.39 in 2025.
Malaysia ranks 169th globally in fertility rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.TFRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's fertility rate is projected to reach 1.39 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fertility rate of Malaysia in 2025 was 1.39. This ranks 169th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_fertility-rate,
title = {Malaysia Fertility Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/fertility-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}