CapitalKuala Lumpur
Population34,905,275
Area329,847 km²
GDP per capita$34,100
LanguagesBahasa Malaysia , English, Chinese , Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
Currencyringgits
Life Expectancy76.6 yr
Governmentfederal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Introduction
Background
Malaysia's geographical position has historically positioned it as a vital cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade bridge between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. The Strait of Malacca, which divides the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, facilitated maritime commerce, bringing with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the eastern coast of Africa. Before the 14th century, a number of significant maritime empires thrived in the region that is now Malaysia, including the Srivijayan Empire, which dominated much of the southern section of the peninsula from the 7th to the 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which controlled a significant portion of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago during the 13th and 14th centuries. The period from the 13th to the 17th centuries marked the rise of several influential maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, particularly the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which, at its zenith in the 15th century, boasted a navy and welcomed thousands of merchants from China, Arabia, Persia, and India.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese and in the 17th century, the Dutch were the initial European colonial powers to establish their presence on the Malay Peninsula and in Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who eventually consolidated control over the region, establishing colonies and protectorates during the late 18th and 19th centuries in what is now Malaysia. These territories were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-administered regions on the Malay Peninsula (excluding Singapore) came together to form the Federation of Malaya, which achieved independence in 1957. The formation of Malaysia occurred in 1963 when the previous British territories of Singapore, along with Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo's northern coast, united with the Federation.
The initial years of Malaysia's independence were marked by challenges including a communist insurgency, confrontations with Indonesia, Philippine claims over Sabah, and the expulsion of Singapore in 1965. During the tenure of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad from 1981 to 2003, Malaysia successfully shifted its economy from a reliance on raw material exports to a focus on manufacturing, services, and tourism. In 2018, former Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties ousted Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO), ending over six decades of continuous UMNO governance. The subsequent years, from 2018 to 2022, saw significant political turbulence, with multiple coalition governments taking office. Following the legislative elections in 2022, ANWAR Ibrahim was appointed as prime minister after more than two decades in opposition. His political coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), allied with its longstanding rival UMNO to establish a government, although both factions remain deeply divided on numerous issues.
Geography
Area
land
328,657 sq km
water
1,190 sq km
total
329,847 sq km
Climate
tropical; annual southwest monsoon from April to October and northeast monsoon from October to February
Terrain
coastal plains that ascend to hills and mountains
Land use
other
16% (2023 est.)
forest
57.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
26.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 22.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.)
Location
Southeast Asia, the peninsula adjacent to Thailand and the northern third of the island of Borneo, neighboring Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, located south of Vietnam
Coastline
4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km; East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m
mean elevation
419 m
Irrigated land
4,420 sq km (2022)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
2,742 km
border countries
Brunei 266 km; Indonesia 1,881 km; Thailand 595 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-meter depth or to the depth of resource extraction; designated boundary within the South China Sea
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
flooding; landslides; wildfires
Geography - note
strategically positioned along the Strait of Malacca and the southern South China Sea
Natural resources
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Area - comparative
marginally larger than New Mexico
Geographic coordinates
2 30 N, 112 30 E
Population distribution
a markedly uneven demographic distribution, with over 80% of the populace located on the Malay Peninsula
People & Society
Literacy
male
96.8% (2022 est.)
female
94.7% (2022 est.)
total population
95.8% (2022 est.)
Languages
Languages
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
major-language sample(s)
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim (official) 63.5%, Buddhist 18.7%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.1%, other (including Confucianism, Taoism, and various traditional Chinese faiths) 0.9%, none/unspecified 1.8% (2020 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.06 male(s)/female
total population
1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.94 male(s)/female
Birth rate
14.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
31.7 years
total
32.2 years (2025 est.)
female
31.9 years
Population
male
17,833,074
total
34,905,275 (2025 est.)
female
17,072,201
Nationality
noun
Malaysian(s)
adjective
Malaysian
Tobacco use
male
41.8% (2025 est.)
total
21.5% (2025 est.)
female
0.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
78.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
22.2% (male 3,947,914/female 3,730,319)
15-64 years
69.4% (male 12,308,938/female 11,666,947)
65 years and over
8.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,409,360/female 1,501,332)
Ethnic groups
Bumiputera 63.8% (Malay 52.8% and indigenous groups such as Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri, 11%), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6%, other 0.6%, non-citizens 9% (2023 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
44.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
31.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
7.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
12.6 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 90.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 97.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 9.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 2.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.1% national budget (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.97% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.83 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population distribution is highly uneven, with more than 80% living on the Malay Peninsula.
Life expectancy at birth
male
75 years
female
78.4 years
total population
76.6 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
26 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
8.622 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.086 million Johor Bahru, 857,000 Ipoh (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
15.6% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
15.3% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
11 years (2023 est.)
total
12 years (2023 est.)
female
12 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; yearly southwest monsoon (April to October) and northeast monsoon (October to February)
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Kinabalu; Langkawi (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
2
Land use
other
16% (2023 est.)
forest
57.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
26.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 22.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
78.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
15.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
847.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
818.9 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
182.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
12.983 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
22.1% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air contamination due to industrial and vehicle emissions; water contamination from untreated sewage; deforestation; smoke and haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia; endangered species; coastal land reclamation harming mangroves and turtle nesting areas
Total water withdrawal
municipal
1.342 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
1.641 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
2.505 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
260.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
92.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
76.78 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
90.273 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
23.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
580 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: features 14 horizontal stripes of red and white in equal measure; a dark blue rectangle positioned in the upper-left corner contains a yellow crescent and a 14-pointed yellow star
meaning: commonly referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory), the flag's 14 stripes symbolize the equal status of the 13 member states alongside the federal government; the star's points represent the unity among these entities; the crescent is a traditional emblem of Islam; the blue signifies the unity of the Malay populace, while yellow symbolizes royalty
Capital
name
Kuala Lumpur
etymology
the term translates to "muddy river junction," signifying the city's placement at the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers; it derives from the Malay words kuala (river junction or estuary) and lumpur (mud)
time difference
UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
3 10 N, 101 42 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 out 12 years preceding application
Constitution
history
previously established in 1948; latest drafted on 21 February 1957, and came into effect on 27 August 1957
amendment process
introduced as a bill by Parliament; to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority vote from Parliament members during the second and third readings; several constitutional provisions are exempt from amendment or repeal
Country name
former
British Malaya, Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya
etymology
created in the early 19th century by British cartographers; the suffix -sia was appended to the name of the Malay people to generate a classical-style designation; the term Malay may originate from the Tamil word malai, which means "mountain"
local long form
none
local short form
Malaysia
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Malaysia
Independence
31 August 1957 (from the UK)
Legal system
a hybrid legal system incorporating English common law, Islamic law (sharia), and customary law; the Federal Court can evaluate legislative actions at the request of the federation's supreme head
Government type
federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Federal Court (composed of the chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, 8 judges, and 1 "additional" judge)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court
judge selection and term of office
Justices of the Federal Court are appointed by the monarch based on the prime minister's counsel; judges serve until they reach mandatory retirement at 66, with the possibility of a single 6-month extension
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament with the consent of the king
chief of state
King Sultan IBRAHIM ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar (since 31 January 2024)
head of government
Prime Minister ANWAR Ibrahim (since 24 November 2022)
most recent election date
24 October 2023
election/appointment process
the king is elected by and from the hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; the election occurs on a rotational basis among the 9 rulers; the prime minister is selected from the members of the House of Representatives; after legislative elections, the leader who secures the majority of support in the House assumes the role of prime minister
expected date of next election
October 2028, with inauguration in January 2029
National holiday
Independence Day (Merdeka Day), observed on 31 August (1957) (marking Malaya's independence); Malaysia Day, celebrated on 16 September (1963) (commemorating the formation of Malaysia)
National color(s)
gold, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
6 (4 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c); The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (c); Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (c)
Political parties
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC
United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO
United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS
Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH:
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR
United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO
National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN:
Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS
Sabah People's Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS:
Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR
Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS
Sabah People's Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS
Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS:
Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP
Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS
Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP
United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB
Homeland Movement/Party (Gerakan Tanah Air) or GTA
Homeland Fighter's Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG
Perkasa Bumiputera Party of Malaysia (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia)
All-Malaysian Jemaah Islamiah Front (Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia)
National All India Muslim Alliance Party (Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional)
others:
Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM
Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA
United Sarawak Party (PSB)
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlimen)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Negaraku" (My Country)
history
adopted in 1957; the complete version is performed solely in the presence of the king, while a shorter rendition is performed for the queen and lower officials
lyrics/music
collectively led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER
National symbol(s)
tiger, hibiscus
Administrative divisions
13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; plus 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) comprising 3 components: Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
223 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/19/2022
expected date of next election
November 2027
percentage of women in chamber
13.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Pakatan Harapan (PH) (76); National Alliance (PN) (52); National Front (BN) (30); Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) (23); Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) (22); Other (19)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Dewan Negara)
number of seats
70 (26 indirectly elected; 44 appointed)
percentage of women in chamber
16.1%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 572-9882
chancery
3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 572-9700
chief of mission
Ambassador Tan Sri Muhammad SHAHRUL Ikram bin Yaakob (since 24 July 2025)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, New York
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[60] (3) 2142-2207
embassy
376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
telephone
[60] (3) 2168-5000
mailing address
4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC 20521-4210
chief of mission
Ambassador Edgard D. KAGAN (since 20 March 2024)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://my.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of jurisdiction to the ICJ; is a non-party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$69.055 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$89.046 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$312.88 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$274.1 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$301.789 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$283.758 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$253.665 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$279.09 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging
Labor force
18.264 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
64.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
4.203 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
4.143 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
4.401 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
4.561 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
4.576 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
an upper middle-income economy in Southeast Asia; enacting significant anticorruption measures; a prominent exporter of electronics, oil, and chemicals; the trade sector accounts for over 40% of employment; a crucial initiative for economic equity; notable high labor productivity
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 21%, Singapore 12%, USA 12%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 24%, Singapore 11%, USA 7%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$32,100 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$32,800 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$34,100 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
8.9% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
5.1% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
oil palm fruit, rice, chicken, eggs, tropical fruits, coconuts, vegetables, pineapples, rubber, bananas (2023)
Exports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil (2023)
Imports - commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$12.738 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$6.257 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$7.15 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
12.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$421.972 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
60.8% (2024 est.)
government consumption
12% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
1.3% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
20.6% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
71.4% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-66% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
6.2% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
26.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
1.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
3.4% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
4.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$1.113 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$1.153 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$1.212 trillion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
11.3% (2024 est.)
total
12.3% (2024 est.)
female
13.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$114.659 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$113.463 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$116.229 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
37.1% (2024 est.)
services
53.6% (2024 est.)
agriculture
8.2% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2.3% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
30.9% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
40.7 (2021 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
462,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
31.706 million metric tons (2023 est.)
production
4.476 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
35.741 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
226 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
582,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
3.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
672,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
1.2 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
61.678 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
178.653 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
37.22 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
13.188 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
37.451 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
3.359 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
74.32 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
47.112 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.189 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
113.163 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
98% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The government-owned television broadcaster manages two television networks with relay stations; the foremost private commercial media conglomerate runs four television stations supported by several relays; there is a subscription-based satellite television service offered; the state-owned radio broadcaster features several national networks in addition to regional and local stations; numerous private commercial radio broadcasters exist, along with some subscription-based satellite radio services; the total number of radio stations is approximately 55 as of 2019.
Internet country code
.my
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
8.402 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
24 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
49.7 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
140 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
4.58 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
13 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
3
small
10
medium
4
key ports
Johor, Kota Kinabalu, Port Dickson, Port Klang, Pulau Pinang, Tanjung Pelepas, Tapis Marine Terminal A
very small
18
total ports
35 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
24
Airports
100 (2025)
Railways
total
1,851 km (2014)
narrow gauge
1,792 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified)
standard gauge
59 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified)
Heliports
24 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
1,750 (2023)
by type
bulk carrier 14, container ship 35, general cargo 169, oil tanker 148, other 1,384
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9M
Military & Security
Military - note
The Malaysian military is tasked with safeguarding the nation's interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it also undertakes certain domestic roles, including disaster response. Key military priorities encompass cyber defense, addressing crime and piracy in the Strait of Malacca, and managing tensions in the South China Sea. While the Army has historically been the predominant branch, there has been a notable increase in the focus on air and maritime security recently. Malaysia has initiated efforts to acquire more advanced aircraft and vessels, enhance air and maritime surveillance capabilities, expand the Navy’s support infrastructure (especially bases and ports), bolster domestic shipbuilding capacities, and strengthen collaboration with regional and international partners such as Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States.
Malaysia is part of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a set of mutual assistance agreements established in 1971 involving Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The FPDA requires member nations to consult each other in the event of an armed attack or threat against any of the members and to determine together what measures should be enacted, whether jointly or individually; however, there is no explicit obligation for military intervention (2025).
Military deployments
825 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Malaysia Police (RMP or Polis Diraja Malaysia, PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA; also known as the Malaysian Coast Guard) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The age for voluntary military service is set at 17 years and 6 months for both men and women (younger individuals may enlist with parental consent and proof of age); the mandatory retirement age is 60; there is no conscription in place (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military operates a varied assortment of predominantly older yet increasingly modern weaponry and equipment, sourced from multiple suppliers in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Malaysia possesses a domestic defense industry that has established co-production agreements with countries such as France, Germany, and Türkiye in sectors like armored vehicles and naval crafts (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The active personnel of the Malaysian Armed Forces is approximately 110,000 (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qa'ida, Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
191,343 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
120,857 (2024 est.)
Space
Space launch site(s)
is conducting feasibility studies to determine potential sites for space launches in Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak (2025)
Space agency/agencies
Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA; founded in 2019) (2025)
Space program overview
maintains a national policy and program for space that emphasizes remote sensing (RS), navigational services, and telecommunications to bolster domestic economic sectors; aims to foster a local space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; engages in research related to RS capabilities and space sciences, including astronomy, atmospheric science, space environments, and meteorology; participates in an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and collaborates with various international space agencies and industries, such as those of the ESA, individual ESA member countries, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2025)
Key space-program milestones
1996 - the inaugural satellite from a series of domestically manufactured commercial communications satellites (MEASAT) was launched on a European rocket
2000 - the first multipurpose microsatellite (TiungSat-1) for remote sensing, communications, and scientific use was developed using technology and training from the UK and launched by Russia
2007 - the first Malaysian astronaut, trained in Russia, traveled to space on the International Space Station
2009 - the first RS satellite (RazakSat) was constructed with support from South Korea and launched by the US
2011 - the establishment of a facility for satellite assembly, integration, and testing was completed
2025 - the first commercial high-resolution RS satellite (UzmaSat-1) was launched by the US; signed the US-led Artemis Accords
