KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 97,318 Malaysians have renounced their citizenship to become citizens of Singapore between 2015 and June 2025, according to the Home Ministry.
The figures were provided in a written reply to a question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 11).
In 2015, 7,394 Malaysians renounced their citizenship, followed by 8,654 in 2016, and 7,583 in 2017. The numbers remained steady with 7,665 in 2018, but saw a significant increase in 2019 with 13,362 individuals making the switch.
The trend dipped in 2020 with 5,591 renunciations, likely influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, numbers picked up again with 7,956 in 2021 and 5,623 in 2022.
A substantial increase was recorded in 2023 with 11,500 Malaysians making the change. The highest number within this period was in 2024, with 16,930 renunciations, and as of June 30 this year, 6,060 Malaysians have opted for Singaporean citizenship.
Over the past decade, Malaysia has reportedly grappled with a significant brain drain, where skilled professionals leave the country for opportunities abroad.
This trend is driven by the pursuit of higher salaries, better career prospects, and improved quality of life in countries like Singapore, Australia, and the United States.
The sectors most affected include healthcare, engineering, finance, and information technology.
