Total number of international immigrants in Malaysia
Malaysia: Total number of international immigrants was 3.81 million immigrants in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
3.81 million immigrants
World rank
18th
of 232 countries
All-time high
3.81 million immigrants
in 2024
All-time low
1.03 million immigrants
in 1990
Years of data
8
1990–2024
Total number of international immigrants in Malaysia, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in immigrants.
Analysis
In 2024, total number of international immigrants in Malaysia stood at 3.81 million immigrants. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
The figure is up 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total number of international immigrants in Malaysia peaked at 3.81 million immigrants in 2024 and was at its lowest, 1.03 million immigrants, in 1990.
Malaysia ranks 18th of 232 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Total number of international immigrants in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | immigrants | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1.03 million immigrants | — |
| 1995 | 1.31 million immigrants | +27.8% |
| 2000 | 1.61 million immigrants | +22.9% |
| 2005 | 2.17 million immigrants | +34.7% |
| 2010 | 3.09 million immigrants | +42.0% |
| 2015 | 3.51 million immigrants | +13.8% |
| 2020 | 3.72 million immigrants | +5.8% |
| 2024 | 3.81 million immigrants | +2.4% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 3.81 million immigrants is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 184,522 immigrants, 20.6× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 3.81 million immigrants is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 51,446 immigrants, 74.0× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.17 million immigrants | 1.03 million immigrants | 1.31 million immigrants | 2 |
| 2000s | 1.89 million immigrants | 1.61 million immigrants | 2.17 million immigrants | 2 |
| 2010s | 3.30 million immigrants | 3.09 million immigrants | 3.51 million immigrants | 2 |
| 2020s | 3.76 million immigrants | 3.72 million immigrants | 3.81 million immigrants | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More population data for Malaysia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.2686 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 41,032 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8625 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1472 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 134 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.91 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total number of international immigrants in Malaysia?
- Total number of international immigrants in Malaysia was 3.81 million immigrants in 2024, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total number of international immigrants recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.81 million immigrants in 2024.
- What is the lowest total number of international immigrants recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.03 million immigrants in 1990.
- How does Malaysia rank for total number of international immigrants?
- Malaysia ranks 18th out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total number of international immigrants rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total number of international immigrants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People living in a given country who were born in another country.