Malaysia’s Demographics – a quick review…

The demographics of Malaysia are represented by the multiple ethnic groups that exist in this country. Malaysia‘s population, as of July 2010, is estimated to be 28,334,000, which makes it the 41st most populated country in the world.^[1] Of these, 5.72 million Malaysians live in East Malaysia and 22.5 million live in Peninsular Malaysia.^[2] The Malaysian population continues to grow at a rate of 2.4% per annum.According to latest 2010 census, among the three largest Malaysian groups Malays and Bumiputera Fertility rates are at 2.8 children per woman, Chinese 1.8 children per woman, and Indians 2.0 children per woman. Malay fertility rates are 40% higher than Malaysian Indians and 56% higher than Malaysian Chinese. In 2010, the Malays were 60.3%, Chinese 22.9%, and the Indians 7.1% of the total population. The Chinese population has shrunk to half of its peak share from 1957 when it was 45% of Malaysia, although in absolute numbers they have multiplied more than threefold.^[3]

The population distribution is uneven, with some 20 million of 28 million citizens concentrated in Peninsular Malaysia, which has an area of 131,598 square kilometres (50,810.27 sq mi).

 

Population age distribution trends for 2001–2010

Year	< 15 Years (%)	15 – 64 Years (%)	> 64 Years (%)	Population (in millions)
2001	32.7	63.4	3.9	24.12
2002	31.9	64.1	4.0	24.72
2003	31.2	64.8	4.0	25.32
2004	30.4	65.5	4.1	25.91
2005	29.7	66.1	4.2	26.48
2006	29.2	66.5	4.3	26.83
2007	28.7	66.9	4.4	27.18
2008	28.2	67.3	4.5	27.54
2009	27.7	67.7	4.6	27.90
2010	27.2	68.1	4.7	28.25

Data from July 2010.^[16]

 

Malaysia latest demographics 2010 -Malays almost 50.4% of population and other Bumiputra about 11%,Chinese 23.7% and Indian 7.1% plus all the rest.The Malays are basically Muslims and as the majority race they can hold power,be economically rich and be a great force culturally,socially and determining the future!However this is not the story,why?

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Malaysia

Malaysia’s population comprises many ethnic groups, with the Malays making up the majority at 50.4%; and other bumiputra at 11%^[2] of the population. According to constitutional definition, Malays are Muslims who practice Malay customs (adat) and culture. Therefore, technically, a Muslim of any race who practices Malay customs and culture can be considered a Malay and allocated privilleged status in the form of the rights stipulated in the constitution for Malays, aboriginals and natives (commonly referred to as Bumiputra, although the constitution itself does not use this term).^{[citation needed]} Bumiputra status is also accorded to certain non-Malay indigenous peoples, including ethnic Thais, Khmers, Chams and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak. Non-Malay bumiputra make up more than half of Sarawak’s population (of which 30% are Ibans), and close to 60% of Sabah’s population (of which 18% are Kadazan-Dusuns, and 17% are Bajaus).^[2] There also exist aboriginal groups in much smaller numbers on the peninsula, where they are collectively known as Orang Asli.^[116]

Various other minorities who lack Bumiputra status have established themselves in Malaysia, for a variety of reasons. 23.7% of the population are Malaysians of Chinese descent, while Malaysians of Indian descent comprise 7.1% of the population.^[2] Indians began migrating to Malaysia in the early 19th century.^[117] The majority of the Indian community are Tamils. Many Europeans and Middle Easterners assimilated through inter-marriage into the Christian and Muslim communities respectively. Most Eurasian Malaysians trace their ancestry to British, Dutch or Portuguese colonists.

Malaysian citizenship is usually granted by lex soli.^[118] Citizenship in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo are distinct from citizenship in Peninsular Malaysia for immigration purposes. Every citizen is issued a biometric smart chip identity card, known as MyKad, at the age of 12, and must carry the card at all times.^[119]

The population distribution is highly uneven, due to the population concentrated in Peninsula Malaysia.^[120] About 20million residents of the approximately 28million live on the peninsula.^[9] 70% of the population is urban.^[2] Due to the rise in labour intensive industries,^[121] Malaysia is estimated to have over 3 million migrant workers, which is about 10% of the Malaysian population.^[122] Sabah NGOs estimate that out of the 3 million population, 2 million are illegal immigrants.^[123]

Additionally, according to the World Refugee Survey 2008, published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Malaysia hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 155,700. Of this population, approximately 70,500 refugees and asylum seekers are from the Philippines, 69,700 from Burma, and 21,800 from Indonesia.^[124] The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants named Malaysia as one of the Ten Worst Places for Refugees on account of the country’s discriminatory practices toward refugees. Malaysian officials are reported to have turned deportees directly over to human smugglers in 2007, and Malaysia employs RELA, a volunteer militia, to enforce its immigration law.^[124]

Largest Cities of Malaysia
	City	State	Population			City	State	Population
1	Kuala Lumpur	Federal Territory	1,809,699		8	Shah Alam	Selangor	617,149
2	Subang Jaya	Selangor	1,321,672		9	Kota Kinabalu	Sabah	579,304
3	Klang	Selangor	1,055,207		10	Kota Bharu	Kelantan	577,301
4	Johor Bahru	Johor	895 509		11	Petaling Jaya	Selangor	543,415
5	Ampang Jaya	Selangor	756,309		12	Tebrau	Johor	525,351
6	Ipoh	Perak	710,798		13	Cheras, Selangor	Selangor	515,961
7	Kuching	Sarawak	658,562		14	Sandakan	Sabah	479,121