Malaysia

Broadcast media

state-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; 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 (2012)

Internet country code

.my

Internet users

total: 24,384,952 | percent of population: 78.8% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system featuring good intercity service on Peninsular Malaysia provided mainly by microwave radio relay and an adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service excellent | domestic: domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 155 per 100 persons | international: country code - 60; landing point for several major international submarine cable networks that provide connectivity to Asia, Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 4,510,200 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 43,912,600 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Agriculture - products

Peninsular Malaysia - palm oil, rubber, cocoa, rice; Sabah - palm oil, subsistence crops; rubber, timber; Sarawak - palm oil, rubber, timber; pepper

Budget

revenues: $51.21 billion | expenditures: $60.46 billion (2016 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Central bank discount rate

3% (31 December 2011) | 2.83% (31 December 2010) | country comparison to the world: 107

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.49% (31 December 2016 est.) | 4.57% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 152

Current account balance

$6.996 billion (2016 est.) | $9.068 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Debt - external

$195.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $191 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.2 (2009) | 49.2 (1997) | country comparison to the world: 31

Economy - overview

Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity. | The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2015. The ringgit rebounded in early 2016, but hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets. | Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays. | Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration.

Exchange rates

ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - | 4.1483 (2016 est.) | 4.15 (2015 est.) | 3.91 (2014 est.) | 3.27 (2013 est.) | 3.09 (2012 est.)

Exports

$165.3 billion (2016 est.) | $174.6 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Exports - commodities

semiconductors and electronic equipment, palm oil, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals, solar panels

Exports - partners

Singapore 14.7%, China 12.6%, US 10.3%, Japan 8.1%, Thailand 5.7%, Hong Kong 4.8%, India 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$296.5 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$863.3 billion (2016 est.) | $818 billion (2015 est.) | $770.4 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 29

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 54.9% | government consumption: 12.6% | investment in fixed capital: 25.8% | investment in inventories: 0.1% | exports of goods and services: 67.7% | imports of goods and services: -61% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 8.7% | industry: 37% | services: 54.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$27,300 (2016 est.) | $26,600 (2015 est.) | $25,700 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 70

GDP - real growth rate

4.2% (2016 est.) | 5% (2015 est.) | 6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Gross national saving

28.2% of GDP (2016 est.) | 28.2% of GDP (2015 est.) | 29.4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 36

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.8% | highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)

Imports

$140.9 billion (2016 est.) | $146.7 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Imports - commodities

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals

Imports - partners

China 19.4%, Singapore 9.8%, Japan 7.7%, US 7.6%, Thailand 5.8%, South Korea 5%, Indonesia 4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

4.5% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2016 est.) | 2.1% (2015 est.) | note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled | country comparison to the world: 124

Labor force

14.7 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 11% | industry: 36% | services: 53% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$383 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $459 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $500.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Population below poverty line

3.8% (2009 est.)

Public debt

52.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | 54.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | note: this figure is based on the amount of federal government debt, RM501.6 billion ($167.2 billion) in 2012; this includes Malaysian Treasury bills and other government securities, as well as loans raised externally and bonds and notes issued overseas; this figure excludes debt issued by non-financial public enterprises and guaranteed by the federal government, which was an additional $47.7 billion in 2012 | country comparison to the world: 92

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $95.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Stock of broad money

$365.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $370.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$126.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $136.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$121.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $117.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Stock of domestic credit

$398.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $390.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Stock of narrow money

$84.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $83.98 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Taxes and other revenues

17.3% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 172

Unemployment rate

3.5% (2016 est.) | 3.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

208 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 27

Crude oil - exports

310,900 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Crude oil - imports

194,400 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Crude oil - production

666,900 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Crude oil - proved reserves

3.6 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - consumption

133 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Electricity - exports

3 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from fossil fuels

82.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

14% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Electricity - imports

13 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - installed generating capacity

33.34 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Electricity - production

141.9 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Electricity access

population without electricity: 100,000 | electrification - total population: 99.5% | electrification - urban areas: 99.8% | electrification - rural areas: 98.7% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

40.67 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Natural gas - exports

34.99 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas - imports

3.27 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - production

63.43 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.183 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 25

Refined petroleum products - consumption

760,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Refined petroleum products - exports

231,400 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32

Refined petroleum products - imports

409,500 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23

Refined petroleum products - production

512,900 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Area

total: 329,847 sq km | land: 328,657 sq km | water: 1,190 sq km | country comparison to the world: 68

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate

tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons

Coastline

4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)

Elevation

mean elevation: 419 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

2 30 N, 112 30 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea

Irrigated land

3,800 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

total: 2,742 km | border countries (3): Brunei 266 km, Indonesia 1,881 km, Thailand 595 km

Land use

agricultural land: 23.2% | arable land 2.9%; permanent crops 19.4%; permanent pasture 0.9% | forest: 62% | other: 14.8% (2011 est.)

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

Map references

Southeast Asia

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

Natural hazards

flooding; landslides; forest fires

Natural resources

tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite

Population - distribution

a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula

Terrain

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

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

Capital

name: Kuala Lumpur; note - nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur | geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E | time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957; amended many times, last in 2010 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Malaysia | local long form: none | local short form: Malaysia | former: Federation of Malaya | etymology: the name means "Land of the Malays"

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kamala Shirin LAKHDIR (since 21 February 2017) | embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur | mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 | telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 | FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador ZULHASNAN Rafique (since 9 January 2017) | chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 | FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 | consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Executive branch

chief of state: King MUHAMMAD V (formerly known as Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra) (selected on 14 October 2016; installed on 13 December 2016); note - the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister | head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Najib Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad ZAHID Hamidi (since 29 July 2015) | 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 14 October 2016 (next to be held in 2021); 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 | election results: Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Najib Razak (UMNO) sworn in as prime minister for second term on 3 April 2009

Flag description

14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers | note: the design is based on the flag of the US

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 federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)

Independence

31 August 1957 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 and 7 judges); note - Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts | 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 65 | subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members appointed by the king and 26 indirectly elected by 13 state legislatures; members serve 3-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) | elections: House of Representatives - last held on 5 May 2013 (next to be held by 24 August 2018) | election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - BN 47.4%, People's Alliance (DAP, PAS, PKR) 50.9%, other 1.7%; seats by party/coalition - BN 133, People's Alliance (DAP, PAS, PKR) 89 | note: seats by party/coalition as of October 2016 - BN 132, PH 72 (DAP 37, PKR 28, AMANAH 6, PPBM 1), PAS 14, WARISAN 2, PSM 1, independent 1

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 holiday

Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)

National symbol(s)

tiger, hibiscus; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow

Political parties and leaders

National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Party or GERAKAN [MAH Siew Keong] | Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik - Sabah) or LDP [TEO Chee Kang] | Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [LIOW Tiong Lai] | Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. SUBRAMANIAM] | Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan] | Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian] | United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB bin Abdul Razak] | United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU] | Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH (formerly the People's Alliance):: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok Wai, Acting National Chairman] | National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU] | People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail] | Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia or PPBM [MAHATHIR Mohamad] | Other: Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang] | Sabah Heritage Party or WARISAN [Shafie APDAL] | Socialist Party of Malaysia (Parti Sosialis Malaysia) or PSM [Mohd Nasir HASHIM]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Bar Council | BERSIH (electoral reform coalition) | ISMA (Muslim NGO) | PERKASA (defense of Malay rights) | other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Background

During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area of current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan 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. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR bin 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. Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has continued these pro-business policies.

Maritime threats

the International Maritime Bureau reports that the territorial and offshore waters in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea remain high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; in the past, commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; seven attacks were reported in 2016 including five ships boarded, two hijacked, and 47 crew taken hostage, this is down from 13 attacks in 2015; during the first half of 2017, three attacks were reported including two ships that were boarded and one that was hijacked

Military branches

Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.41% of GDP (2016) | 1.53% of GDP (2015) | 1.46% of GDP (2014) | 1.52% of GDP (2013) | 1.43% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 58

Military service age and obligation

17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; women serve in the Malaysian Armed Forces; no conscription (2013)

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.83% (male 4,493,084/female 4,238,991) | 15-24 years: 16.81% (male 2,677,834/female 2,598,958) | 25-54 years: 41% (male 6,507,499/female 6,358,762) | 55-64 years: 8.27% (male 1,316,331/female 1,277,558) | 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 907,850/female 1,005,125) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

19.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

12.4% (2015) | country comparison to the world: 58

Contraceptive prevalence rate

52.2% (2014)

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 44.6 | youth dependency ratio: 36.1 | elderly dependency ratio: 8.5 | potential support ratio: 11.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population | rural: 93% of population | total: 98.2% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 7% of population | total: 1.8% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2015) | country comparison to the world: 46

Ethnic groups

Malay 50.1%, Chinese 22.6%, indigenous 11.8%, Indian 6.7%, other 0.7%, non-citizens 8.2% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

HIV/AIDS - deaths

7,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

97,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

Health expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 163

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Languages

Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai | note: Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112 indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous languages; in East Malaysia there are several indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.2 years | male: 72.4 years | female: 78.2 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.6% | male: 96.2% | female: 93.2% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever | water contact disease: leptospirosis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 6.837 million; Johor Bahru 912,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

40 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Median age

total: 28.5 years | male: 28.2 years | female: 28.8 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

Nationality

noun: Malaysian(s) | adjective: Malaysian

Net migration rate

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

15.6% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 125

Physicians density

1.28 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

31,381,992 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Population distribution

a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula

Population growth rate

1.37% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Religions

Muslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none 0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96.1% of population | rural: 95.9% of population | total: 96% of population | urban: 3.9% of population | rural: 4.1% of population | total: 4% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years | male: 12 years | female: 13 years (2015)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female | total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.5 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 10.7% | male: 9.9% | female: 11.8% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Urbanization

urban population: 76% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 2.19% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Disputes - international

while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge; land and maritime negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait

Illicit drugs

drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously, including enforcement of the death penalty; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional drug market

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 87,036 (Burma) (2016) | stateless persons: 10,931 (2016); 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

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for foreign workers who migrate willingly from countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nepal, Burma, and other Southeast Asian countries, but subsequently encounter forced labor or debt bondage in agriculture, construction, factories, and domestic service at the hands of employers, employment agents, and labor recruiters; women from Southeast Asia and, to a much lesser extent, Africa, are recruited for legal work in restaurants, hotels, and salons but are forced into prostitution; refugees, including Rohingya adults and children, are not legally permitted to work and are vulnerable to trafficking; a small number of Malaysians are trafficked internally and subjected to sex trafficking abroad | tier rating: Tier 2 Watch list - Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, amendments to strengthen existing anti-trafficking laws, including enabling victims to move freely and to work and for NGOs to run protective facilities, were drafted by the government and are pending approval from Parliament; authorities more than doubled investigations and prosecutions but convicted only three traffickers for forced labor and none for sex trafficking, a decline from 2013 and a disproportionately small number compared to the scale of the country’s trafficking problem; NGOs provided the majority of victim rehabilitation and counseling services with no financial support from the government (2015)

Airports

114 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 51

Airports - with paved runways

total: 39 | over 3,047 m: 8 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 | 914 to 1,523 m: 8 | under 914 m: 8 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 75 | 914 to 1,523 m: 6 | under 914 m: 69 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9M (2016)

Heliports

4 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 315 | by type: bulk carrier 11, cargo 83, carrier 2, chemical tanker 47, container 41, liquefied gas 34, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 86, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5 | foreign-owned: 26 (Denmark 1, Hong Kong 8, Japan 2, Russia 2, Singapore 13) | registered in other countries: 82 (Bahamas 13, India 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 6, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 11, Panama 12, Papua New Guinea 1, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Singapore 27, Thailand 3, US 2, unknown 2) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 31

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 12 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 263 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 50,347,149 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,005,979,379 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines

condensate 354 km; gas 6,439 km; liquid petroleum gas 155 km; oil 1,937 km; oil/gas/water 43 km; refined products 114 km; water 26 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas | container port(s) (TEUs): George Town (Penang) (1,317,000), Port Kelang (Port Klang) (11,887,000), Tanjung Pelepas (8,797,000) (2015) | LNG terminal(s) (export): Bintulu (Sarawak) | LNG terminal(s) (import): Sungei Udang

Railways

total: 1,851 km | standard gauge: 59 km 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified) | narrow gauge: 1,792 km 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 75

Roadways

total: 144,403 km (excludes local roads) | paved: 116,169 km (includes 1,821 km of expressways) | unpaved: 28,234 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 35

Waterways

7,200 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) (2011) | country comparison to the world: 19