Total number of international immigrants in Malaysia
Malaysia: Total number of international immigrants was 3.81 million immigrants in 2024. ▲ Rising
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%.
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 growth rate, by level of development -0.3% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.91 million people (2100)
- Population density 134 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 138,417 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.54 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 0.7% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 1.55 live births per woman (2023)
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.