Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants.
The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and in Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. Japan occupied these holdings from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula (except Singapore) formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation.
A communist insurgency, confrontations with Indonesia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore’s expulsion in 1965 marred the first several years of the country’s independence. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Former Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak’s United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted UMNO rule. From 2018-2022, Malaysia underwent considerable political upheaval, with a succession of coalition governments holding power. Following legislative elections in 2022, ANWAR Ibrahim was appointed prime minister after more than 20 years in opposition. His political coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), joined its longtime UNMO rival to form a government, but the two groups have remained deeply divided on many issues.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates
2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 329,847 sq km
land: 328,657 sq km
water: 1,190 sq km
comparison ranking: total 68
Area – comparative
slightly larger than New Mexico
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 2,742 km
border countries (3): Brunei 266 km; Indonesia 1,881 km; Thailand 595 km
Coastline
4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
Climate
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain
coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 419 m
Natural resources
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land use
agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 2.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 22.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 57.9% (2022 est.)
other: 16% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
4,420 sq km (2022)
Population distribution
a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Natural hazards
flooding; landslides; forest fires
Geography – note
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
People and Society
Population
total: 34,564,810 (2024 est.)
male: 17,666,212
female: 16,898,598
comparison rankings: total 45; female 45; male 43
Nationality
noun: Malaysian(s)
adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups
Bumiputera 63.8% (Malay 52.8% and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri, 11%), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6%, other 0.6%, non-citizens 9% (2023 est.)
Languages
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
major-language sample(s):
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note: Malaysia has 134 languages (112 indigenous and 22 non-indigenous); in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages, and the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan
Bahasa Malaysia audio sample:
Religions
Muslim (official) 63.5%, Buddhist 18.7%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.1%, other (Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions) 0.9%, none/unspecified 1.8% (2020 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 22.2% (male 3,947,914/female 3,730,319)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 12,308,938/female 11,666,947)
65 years and over: 8.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,409,360/female 1,501,332)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 44.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 32 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 12.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 8.2 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 31.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 31.7 years
female: 31.9 years
comparison ranking: total 122
Population growth rate
0.99% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 94
Birth rate
14.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 120
Death rate
5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 166
Net migration rate
1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 57
Population distribution
a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Urbanization
urban population: 78.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
8.622 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.086 million Johor Bahru, 857,000 Ipoh (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
21 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 124
Infant mortality rate
total: 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 164
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 75 years
female: 78.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 106
Total fertility rate
1.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 156
Gross reproduction rate
0.84 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
52.2% (2014)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.4% of population
rural: 90.7% of population
total: 97.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.6% of population
rural: 9.3% of population
total: 2.5% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
4.4% of GDP (2021)
8% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99% of population
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved:
urban: 0.1% of population
rural: NA
total: (2020 est.) NA
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
15.6% (2016)
comparison ranking: 125
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 158
Tobacco use
total: 21.5% (2025 est.)
male: 41.8% (2025 est.)
female: 0.6% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 58
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
14.1% (2019)
comparison ranking: 36
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
59.3% (2023 est.)
Education expenditure
3.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
17.1% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 129
Literacy
total population: 96% (2022 est.)
male: 97% (2022 est.)
female: 95% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2020)
Environment
Environment – current issues
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites
Environment – international agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Land use
agricultural land: 26.1% (2022 est.)
arable land: 2.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 22.7% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 57.9% (2022 est.)
other: 16% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 78.7% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 21.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 248.29 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 51.51 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,982,685 tons (2014 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,271,970 tons (2016 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.5% (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 1.34 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 1.64 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 2.51 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
580 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 2
global geoparks and regional networks: Kinabalu; Langkawi (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Malaysia
local long form: none
local short form: Malaysia
former: British Malaya, Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya
etymology: devised in the early 19th century by British geographers; the suffix –sia was added to the name of the Malay people to form a classical-style name; the name Malay may come from the Tamil word malai, meaning “mountain”
Government type
federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)
Capital
name: Kuala Lumpur
geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name means “muddy river junction,” referring to the city’s location on the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers; it comes from the Malay words kuala (river junction or estuary) and lumpur (mud)
note: nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not as the capital; the legislature meets in Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions
13 states (negeri-negeri, singular – negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (sharia), and customary law; the Federal Court can review legislative acts at the request of the supreme head of the federation
Constitution
history: previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957
amendment process: proposed as a bill by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in the bill’s second and third readings; a number of constitutional sections are excluded from amendment or repeal
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12 years preceding application
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King Sultan IBRAHIM ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar (since 31 January 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister ANWAR Ibrahim (since 25 November 2022)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament with the consent of the king
elections/appointments: king elected by and from the hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; election is on a rotational basis among rulers of the 9 states; election last held on 24 October 2023 (next to be held in October 2028 with installation in January 2029); prime minister designated from among members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister
note: the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Parlimen)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch – lower chamber
chamber name: House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)
number of seats: 223 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 11/19/2022
parties elected and seats per party: Pakatan Harapan (PH) (76); National Alliance (PN) (52); National Front (BN) (30); Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) (23); Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) (22); Other (19)
percentage of women in chamber: 13.5%
expected date of next election: November 2027
Legislative branch – upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Dewan Negara)
number of seats: 70 (26 indirectly elected; 44 appointed)
percentage of women in chamber: 16.1%
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Federal Court (consists of the chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, 8 judges, and 1 “additional” judge)
judge selection and term of office: Federal Court justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 66 with the possibility of a single 6-month extension
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates’ Court
note: Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts
Political parties
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC
United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO
United Sabah People’s Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS
Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH:
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH
People’s Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR
United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO
National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN:
Malaysian People’s Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS
Sabah People’s Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS:
Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR
Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS
Sabah People’s Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS
Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS:
Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP
Sarawak People’s Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS
Sarawak United People’s Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP
United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB
Others:
Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM
Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN
Homeland Fighter’s Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA
United Sarawak Party (PSB)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires KHAERIAH Zaehera Abd Kayyum (since 9 February 2025)
chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700
FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Edgard D. KAGAN (since 20 March 2024)
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
mailing address: 4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC 20521-4210
telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000
FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://my.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
31 August 1957 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
Flag description
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner has a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often called Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status of the 13 member states and the federal government; the points on the star represent the unity among these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people, and yellow is the royal color
note: the design is based on the US flag
National symbol(s)
tiger, hibiscus
National colors
gold, black
National anthem
name: “Negaraku” (My Country)
lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER
note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled “La Rosalie,” was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia’s 13 states
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales:
Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c); The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (c)
Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; implementing key anticorruption policies; major electronics, oil, and chemicals exporter; trade sector employs over 40% of jobs; key economic equity initiative; high labor productivity
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.153 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.113 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.022 trillion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 30
Real GDP growth rate
3.56% (2023 est.)
8.86% (2022 est.)
3.3% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 94
Real GDP per capita
$32,800 (2023 est.)
$32,100 (2022 est.)
$29,800 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 74
GDP (official exchange rate)
$399.705 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.8% (2024 est.)
2.5% (2023 est.)
3.4% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 51
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 7.8% (2023 est.)
industry: 37.7% (2023 est.)
services: 53.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 131; industry 31; agriculture 89
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 60.5% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 11.9% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 3.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -63.5% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
oil palm fruit, rice, chicken, eggs, tropical fruits, coconuts, vegetables, pineapples, rubber, bananas (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
Peninsular Malaysia – rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah – logging, petroleum and natural gas production; Sarawak – agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging
Industrial production growth rate
1.33% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 122
Labor force
18.264 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 36
Unemployment rate
3.8% (2024 est.)
3.9% (2023 est.)
3.9% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 67
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 12.3% (2024 est.)
male: 11.3% (2024 est.)
female: 13.8% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 108
Population below poverty line
6.2% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
40.7 (2021 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 40
Average household expenditures
on food: 26.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 1.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.3% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 30.9% (2021 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.43% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.42% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $66.883 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $72.986 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
64.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 65
Taxes and other revenues
12.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 157
Current account balance
$7.15 billion (2024 est.)
$6.257 billion (2023 est.)
$12.738 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 29
Exports
$301.789 billion (2024 est.)
$274.1 billion (2023 est.)
$312.88 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 30
Exports – partners
China 21%, Singapore 12%, USA 12%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$279.09 billion (2024 est.)
$253.665 billion (2023 est.)
$283.758 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 32
Imports – partners
China 24%, Singapore 11%, USA 7%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal, broadcasting equipment (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$112.968 billion (2024 est.)
$113.463 billion (2023 est.)
$114.659 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 23
Exchange rates
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
4.576 (2024 est.)
4.561 (2023 est.)
4.401 (2022 est.)
4.143 (2021 est.)
4.203 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 37.22 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 178.653 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 1.2 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 61.678 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 13.188 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 185; imports 114; exports 66; consumption 24; installed generating capacity 34
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 4.476 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 35.741 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 462,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 31.706 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 226 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 582,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 672,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 3.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 74.32 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 47.112 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 37.451 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 3.359 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1.189 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
260.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 76.78 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 90.273 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 92.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 26
Energy consumption per capita
113.163 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 39
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 8.402 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 20
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 50.1 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 37
Broadcast media
state-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays; the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019)
Internet country code
.my
Internet users
percent of population: 98% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 4.58 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 37
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9M
Airports
100 (2025)
comparison ranking: 55
Heliports
24 (2025)
comparison ranking: 53
Railways
total: 1,851 km (2014)
standard gauge: 59 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,792 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified)
Merchant marine
total: 1,750 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 35, general cargo 169, oil tanker 148, other 1,384
comparison ranking: total 16
Ports
total ports: 35 (2024)
large: 3
medium: 4
small: 10
very small: 18
ports with oil terminals: 24
key ports: Johor, Kota Kinabalu, Port Dickson, Port Klang, Pulau Pinang, Tanjung Pelepas, Tapis Marine Terminal A
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force
Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Malaysia Police (RMP or Polis Diraja Malaysia, PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA; aka Malaysian Coast Guard) (2025)
note: the Royal Malaysia Police includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counterterrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency
Military expenditures
1% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
1% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 110,000 active Malaysian Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military fields a diverse array of mostly older but growing mix of modern weapons and equipment; its inventory originates from a wide variety of suppliers across Europe, Asia, and the US; Malaysia has a domestic defense industry that has some co-production agreements with countries such as France, Germany, and Turkey in such areas armored vehicles and naval vessels (2024)
Military service age and obligation
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service for men and women (younger with parental consent and proof of age); maximum age of 27 to enlist; mandatory retirement age 60; no conscription (2023)
note: in 2020, the military announced a goal of having 10% of the active force comprised of women
Military deployments
830 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2024)
Military – note
the Malaysian military is responsible for defense of the country’s national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it also has some domestic responsibilities, such as responding to natural disasters; while the Army has traditionally been the dominant service, air and maritime security have received increased emphasis in recent years, particularly anti-piracy operations in the Strait of Malacca and countering Chinese incursions into Malaysia’s Economic Exclusion Zone, as well as addressing other identified shortfalls in air and maritime capabilities; as such, Malaysia has undertaken efforts to procure more modern fighters and ships, improve air and maritime surveillance, expand the Navy’s support infrastructure (particularly bases/ports) and domestic ship-building capacities, restructure naval command and control, and increase air and naval cooperation with regional and international partners such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and the US
Malaysia is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA); MYSA was established in 2019 through the merging of the National Space Agency (ANGKASA; established 2002) and Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA; established 1998); Astronautic Technology Sd Bhd (ATSB; established 1995) (2024)
Space program overview
has a growing space program focused on the areas of remote sensing (RS), communication, and navigational services to support domestic economic sectors; also seeks to promote a domestic space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; conducts research in RS capabilities and space sciences such as astronomy, atmospherics, space environment, and weather; has an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of the European Space Agency and some of its individual member states, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2024)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qa’ida, Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 157,731 (Burma) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2023)
stateless persons: 113,930 (2022); note – Malaysia’s stateless population consists of Rohingya refugees from Burma, ethnic Indians, and the children of Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants; Burma stripped the Rohingya of their nationality in 1982; Filipino and Indonesian children who have not been registered for birth certificates by their parents or who received birth certificates stamped “foreigner” are not eligible to attend government schools; these children are vulnerable to statelessness should they not be able to apply to their parents’ country of origin for passports
Illicit drugs
not a source country for illicit drugs bound for the United States but is a significant transit country for drugs destined for Australia; drugs trafficked to Malaysia include crystal methamphetamine and lesser quantities of MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis, heroin, and ketamine; significant number of the population abuse drugs especially methamphetamine
