PETALING JAYA: Close to two million deaths were recorded in Malaysia between 2014 and 2023, according to the Statistics Department.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said there were 1,778,615 deaths recorded during the 10-year period, with the highest number of deaths taking place in 2021 (224,931).
The number of deaths annually also breached the 200,000 mark in 2022 (206,780), while 196,965 deaths were recorded in 2023.
“The crude death rate also recorded a decrease from 6.3 deaths for every 1,000 residents in 2022 to 5.9 deaths in 2023,” he said when contacted.
Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths in 2022 and 2023 combined, with a total of 65,597.
This was followed by Johor (50,047), Perak (43,197), Kedah (34,280), Sabah (34,024) and Sarawak (32,791).
On a related matter, Mohd Uzir said the number of Muslim deaths increased from 52,551 in 2000 to 112,284 in 2023.
“Selangor recorded the highest number of Muslim deaths in 2023 at 16,677, followed by Johor (14,398) and Kedah (13,008),” he added.
From 2022 to 2023, the number of non-Muslim deaths totalled 87,604 before dropping to 84,681.
Citing findings based on a case study of deaths in Kuala Lumpur, the chief statistician said 5,492 deaths were recorded in 2000, with the number rising to 9,646 in 2023.
This makes up to 4.8 deaths for every 1,000 residents.
“Muslims made up 3,725 or 38.6% of the deaths in 2023 while non-Muslims made up 61.4% of the deaths that year.
“A total of 2,373 of the deaths that year comprised those aged 60 and above, with the main cause of death being pneumonia,” he added.
On deaths in Putrajaya, he said there was a rise from 95 cases in 2010 to a total of 284 deaths in 2023.
“The number of Muslim deaths was 271. Among those who died aged 60 and above, the main cause of deaths in 140 cases was ischaemic heart diseases.”
