PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s total population was estimated at 34.4 million in the first quarter of this year (1Q26) compared with 34.2 million recorded during the same period last year, reflecting a slower growth of 0.5%, according to the Demographic Statistics for 1Q 2026 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the male population of Malaysia increased to 18.0 million from 17.9 million in 1Q25, and the female population rose to 16.3 million from 16.2 million in the same period a year ago.
“The sex ratio was 110 males for every 100 females, while the sex ratio for citizens was 102. The composition of the old age population (65 years and over) increased from 7.9% to 8% in the 1Q26.
“Meanwhile, the young age population (0-14 years) recorded a decrease from 21.8% to 21.6%. The working-age population (15-64 years) increased from 70.3% to 70.4% during the same period,” he said in a statement, Bernama reported.
By ethnicity, Malays accounted for 58.3% of the population in 1Q26, compared with 58.2% recorded in 1Q25.
The proportion of other bumiputra and Indians remained unchanged at 12.3% and 6.5% respectively, while the Chinese population decreased to 22.1% in the 1Q26 from 22.2% in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Sabah bumiputra contributed 55.3% to the total other bumiputra population, comprising Kadazan/Dusun (31.7%), Bajau (26.5%), Murut (5.1%) and other Sabah bumiputra (36.7%).
Meanwhile, Sarawak bumiputra, which made up 32.3% of the other bumiputra population, consisted of Iban (59.1%), Bidayuh (17.1%), Melanau (10.6%) and other Sarawak bumiputra (13.2%).
Mohd Uzir noted that the number of live births across the country continued to decline, with 94,807 births recorded compared to 97,843 births in 1Q25.
Male babies outnumbered female babies at 49,137 births versus 45,670 births.
“Selangor recorded the highest number of live births at 17,990, while Labuan recorded the lowest at 294 births,” he said.
Mohd Uzir added that a total of 49,139 deaths were recorded in 1Q26, a decrease of 1.5% from 49,863 deaths in 1Q25, with Selangor recording the highest number of deaths at 8,042, while Putrajaya recorded the lowest at 81 deaths.
Population aged 60 years and over recorded the highest number of deaths at 35,130 (71.5%), followed by those aged 41-59 years (19.9%), 15-40 years (6.8%) and 0-14 years (1.8%).
