Malaysia Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Malaysia's population growth was 1.18% in 2025, ranked 99th globally. This represents a 3.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's population growth stood at 1.18% in 2025, a decline of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.18% by 2025. Malaysia ranked 99th globally.
Malaysia’s population growth rate has slowed markedly over the 65‑year series, falling from a high of 2.58 % in 1961 to an all‑time peak of 3.29 % in 1985, before reaching a trough of 1.15 % in 2021. The latest World Bank estimate for 2025 records a growth rate of 1.18 %, placing Malaysia 99th globally and aligning closely with peers such as Paraguay (1.17 %) and Norway (1.22 %). The post‑peak decline reflects the combined impact of declining fertility, rising urbanisation and the maturation of the demographic transition that began in the 1970s. While the modest rebound from the 2021 trough suggests a slight easing of these pressures, the trajectory remains downward as the population ages and net migration contributions stay limited. Continued improvements in health, education and labour‑force participation could modestly lift the growth rate, but absent major policy shifts the long‑term trend points toward further deceleration.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 1.16% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 1.17% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.18% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.18% | −0.04pp | #99 |
| 2024 | 1.22% | −0.01pp | #126 |
| 2023 | 1.23% | +0.04pp | #122 |
| 2022 | 1.20% | +0.05pp | #121 |
| 2021 | 1.15% | −0.18pp | #126 |
| 2020 | 1.33% | −0.26pp | #129 |
| 2019 | 1.60% | −0.11pp | #141 |
| 2018 | 1.70% | −0.06pp | #142 |
| 2017 | 1.76% | −0.00pp | #147 |
| 2016 | 1.77% | +0.03pp | #148 |
| 2015 | 1.73% | +0.02pp | #141 |
| 2014 | 1.71% | +0.01pp | #141 |
| 2013 | 1.71% | +0.01pp | #137 |
| 2012 | 1.70% | −0.05pp | #140 |
| 2011 | 1.75% | −0.12pp | #142 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's population growth was 1.18% in 2025. Ranked 99th globally. This represents a 3.0% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's population growth peaked at 3.29% in 1985.
The lowest population growth in Malaysia was 1.15% in 2021.
Malaysia ranks 99th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's population growth is projected to reach 1.18% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Malaysia in 2025 was 1.18%. This ranks 99th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_population-growth,
title = {Malaysia Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}