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- Population growth slowed to 0.6% (34.3mn people) as live births fell 5.4%, while the elderly population rose to 8.0%.
- Labour demand climbed 1.8% to 9.21mn jobs, the strongest growth since Q1 2024, with 97.8% of positions filled.
- 32,100 new jobs were created, led by services and manufacturing sectors.
Malaysia’s population growth moderated in the fourth quarter of 2025, alongside steady expansion in labour demand.
According to the Malaysian Demographic Statistics, Fourth Quarter 2025, released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the population was estimated at 34.3mn, compared to 34.1mn in Q4 2024.
The annual population growth rate slowed to 0.6% (192,495 persons), a decrease from 1.2% in the same quarter last year.
Population composition and ageing trend
Mohd Uzir Mahidin, Chief Statistician of Malaysia stated that the composition of the citizen and non-citizen population remained unchanged year-on-year at 90.1% and 9.9% respectively.
The male population increased to 18.0mn (Q4 2024: 17.9mn), while the female population rose to 16.3mn (Q4 2024: 16.2mn). The overall gender ratio stood at 110 males for every 100 females, while the gender ratio for citizens was 102.
In terms of age structure:
- The elderly population (65 years and above) increased from 7.8% to 8.0%.
- The young age population (0-14 years) decreased from 21.9% to 21.6%.
- The working-age population (15-64 years) increased slightly from 70.3% to 70.4%.
Ethnic composition remains stable
Malays accounted for 58.2% of the total population, unchanged from Q4 2024.
Other bumiputera made up 12.3%, ethnic Chinese 22.2%, and ethnic Indians 6.5%, all unchanged year-on-year.
Among other bumiputera:
- Sabah bumiputera accounted for 55.2%, comprising Kadazan/Dusun (31.7%), Bajau (26.5%), Murut (5.1%) and others (36.7%)
- Sarawak bumiputera accounted for 32.3%, comprising Iban (59.1%), Bidayuh (17.1%), Melanau (10.6%) and others (13.2%).
Live births decline 5.4%
The number of live births fell 5.4% to 99,353 births, compared to 105,027 in Q4 2024.
Male births totalled 51,340, while female births were 48,013. The sex ratio at birth was 107 males for every 100 females.
Selangor recorded the highest number of live births at 18,517 (18.6%), while the Federal Territory of Labuan recorded the lowest at 331 births (0.3%).
By age of mother:
- 30-39 years: 49.8
- 20-29 years: 43.4%
- 40 years and over: 4.7%
- Under 20 years: 2.1%
On average, one baby was born every minute, 45 babies per hour, and 1,080 babies per day in Q4 2025.
By ethnicity, Malays accounted for 68.7% (68,263 births) of total live births. Other bumiputera increased to 12.9%, while ethnic Chinese and Indians declined to 7.8% and 3.9% respectively.
Deaths increase 1.3%
A total of 51,077 deaths were recorded in Q4 2025, an increase of 1.3% from 50,415 in Q4 2024.
Male deaths totalled 29,358, while female deaths were 21,719. The gender ratio of deaths was 135 males for every 100 females.
Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths at 7,990 (15.6%), while the Federal Territory of Putrajaya recorded the lowest at 82 deaths (0.2%).
By age group:
- 60 years and above: 70.1
- 41-59 years: 20.7%
- 15-40 years: 7.3
- 0-14 years: 1.9%
On average, one death was recorded every two minutes, 23 per hour and 555 per day.
Labour demand records highest growth since Q1 2024
In the Employment Statistics, Malaysia, Fourth Quarter 2025, DOSM reported that labour demand increased 1.8% year-on-year to 9.21mn positions, the highest growth since Q1 2024 (Q4 2024: 9.05mn).
Filled positions totalled 9.02mn, representing 97.8% of total jobs. Vacancies accounted for 2.2%.
A total of 32,100 new jobs were created during the quarter, up 2.2% year-on-year.
The services sector led growth at 2.6% and accounted for 53.1% of filled positions (4.80mn), followed by manufacturing (26.9%: 2.42mn) and construction (13.9%: 1.25mn).
By skill category:
- Semi-skilled: 62.3% (5.62mn)
- Skilled: 25.3% (2.27mn)
- Low-skilled: 12.4% (1.12mn)
Vacancies and job creation
Job vacancies increased 2.4% year-on-year to 198,100 (Q4 2024: 193,600).
Manufacturing recorded the highest number of vacancies at 115,800 (58.4%), particularly in electrical, electronic and optical products (35,700) and petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (20,500).
Agriculture recorded 32,000 vacancies (16.2%), while services recorded 25,000 (12.6%).
By skill category, semi-skilled roles accounted for 56.2% (111,300) of vacancies, followed by skilled (24.6%; 48,700) and low-skilled (19.2%; 38,200).
For the full year 2025, total job creation rose to 129,600 new positions, compared to 127,200 in 2024.
Global fertility trend highlighted
Dato’ Uzir noted that globally, more countries are recording total fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman aged 15-49. Countries such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, China, Russia, and France have introduced population and family-related policies in response to ageing and workforce concerns.
In Q4 2025, Malaysia recorded slower population growth alongside stable labour demand expansion, according to DOSM’s latest releases.
ALSO READ: Female labour force participation rate hits record high of 56.6% in Q4 2025
Lead image / DOSM Facebook
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