The population now stands at 32.2 million (3.8 members per family). About 24 per cent is under 14, while 6.8 per cent are aged 65 and over. The country’s ethnic make-up represents a delicate balance between Malays, Chinese and Indians.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – Malaysian authorities released the 2020 general census data, which indicates a population of 32.3 million, growing at an average annual of 1.7 per cent, slower than in the previous census.
It took 482 days to complete the process due to the pandemic, which complicated matters because of its alternating phases.
Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, chief statistician at the Department of Statistics Malaysia, reported that about 99.2 per cent of the population took part in the census, which cost 400 million ringgit (US$ 95 million).
Overall, there are 8.2 million households with an average 3.8 members. The data show a slight sex imbalance (101 men for every 100 women), but in Putrajaya, the country’s administrative capital, the ratio is 96 men for 100 women.
In terms of age groups, the distribution is among the most sustainable of the Asia: 24 per cent is under 14, 69.3 per cent belongs to the productive age group, while 6.8 per cent are 65 and over.
On the whole, this demographic profile does not herald any major crisis in the near future.
The country’s ethnic make-up will remain however a major factor as it has been thus far; the government will have to continue to balance needs, capacities and sensitivities.
About 91.7 per cent of the resident population hold Malaysian citizenship. About 69.4 per cent are Bumiputera (sons of the earth), namely, mostly Muslim ethnic Malay, and indigenous, while ethnic Chinese represent 23.2 per cent and Indians 6.7 per cent.