PUTRAJAYA: The Orang Asli population in Malaysia is estimated to have reached 227,900 in 2025 as compared to 213,461 in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%, according to the Special Report On The Demographics Of Orang Asli released by the Statistics Department on Tuesday (Oct 14).
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Pahang recorded the highest Orang Asli population at 82,824 in 2020, followed by Perak (58,942) and Selangor (21,312).
"Batang Padang, Perak recorded the highest population at 17,092, followed by Lipis (14,999) and Rompin (14,985) in Pahang,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
The composition of the Orang Asli population consists of 108,354 or 50.8% males as compared to 105,107 (49.2%) females.
Meanwhile, the sex ratio remained at 103 males for every 100 females in both 2020 and 2010. The highest sex ratio was recorded in Labuan (150), Sabah (116) and Kedah (115).
Mohd Uzir said the Orang Asli community comprises three main ethnic groups, namely Senoi, Melayu Proto and Negrito, which include a total of 18 sub-ethnic groups.
The Senoi group includes the sub-ethnic groups Temiar, Semai, Mah Meri, Jahut, Che Wong, and Semoq Beri; the Melayu Proto group includes Jakun, Temuan, Semelai, Orang Kuala, Orang Kanaq and Orang Seletar; while Negrito group includes Kensiu, Kintaq, Jahai, Mendriq, Bateq and Lanoh.
"The percentage of Melayu Proto increased to 44.4% (2020) as compared to 40.9% (2010), while Senoi and Negrito decreased to 53.5% and 2.1% (2020) from 56.0% and 3.1% (2010).
"The majority of the Orang Asli population were self-employed, accounting for 59.7% in 2020 as compared to 50.2% in 2010. Private employee is the second highest with 28.7%, followed by government employee (6.6%), unpaid family worker (4.3%) and employer (0.7%)," he added.
The number of live births among the Orang Asli in 2024 was 4,198, a decrease of 9.1% as compared to 4,620 births in 2020, and Pahang recorded the highest number of live births, with 1,779 in 2024.
Deaths among the Orang Asli increased by 23.4% to 1,278 in 2024 from 1,036 in 2020, and Pahang recorded the highest number of deaths, with 526 in 2024.
Mohd Uzir added Ischaemic heart disease became the cause of death among Orang Asli in 2020 (12.5%), replacing Pneumonia (12.0%) in 2010. - Bernama
