Population aged 65 years or older (thousands) in Malaysia
Malaysia: Population aged 65 years or older (thousands) was 2,820 thousands in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2,820 thousands
Change on year
up 5.1%
World rank
42nd
of 233 countries
All-time high
2,820 thousands
in 2025
All-time low
275.98 thousands
in 1970
Years of data
56
1970–2025
Population aged 65 years or older in Malaysia, 1970–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in thousands.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population aged 65 years or older in Malaysia is 2,820 thousands, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 56 years on record.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 61.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population aged 65 years or older in Malaysia peaked at 2,820 thousands in 2025 and was at its lowest, 275.98 thousands, in 1970.
That places Malaysia 42nd out of 233 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population aged 65 years or older (thousands) in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | thousands | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 275.98 thousands | — |
| 1971 | 287.39 thousands | +4.1% |
| 1972 | 302.84 thousands | +5.4% |
| 1973 | 321.06 thousands | +6.0% |
| 1974 | 340 thousands | +5.9% |
| 1975 | 357.41 thousands | +5.1% |
| 1976 | 373.93 thousands | +4.6% |
| 1977 | 388.93 thousands | +4.0% |
| 1978 | 402.95 thousands | +3.6% |
| 1979 | 416.94 thousands | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 432.57 thousands | +3.8% |
| 1981 | 449.89 thousands | +4.0% |
| 1982 | 468.32 thousands | +4.1% |
| 1983 | 487.9 thousands | +4.2% |
| 1984 | 508.14 thousands | +4.1% |
| 1985 | 528.15 thousands | +3.9% |
| 1986 | 548.25 thousands | +3.8% |
| 1987 | 568.36 thousands | +3.7% |
| 1988 | 588.15 thousands | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 607.93 thousands | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 626.8 thousands | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 645.5 thousands | +3.0% |
| 1992 | 665.62 thousands | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 686.99 thousands | +3.2% |
| 1994 | 712.44 thousands | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 738.16 thousands | +3.6% |
| 1996 | 763.43 thousands | +3.4% |
| 1997 | 789.94 thousands | +3.5% |
| 1998 | 818.25 thousands | +3.6% |
| 1999 | 845.92 thousands | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 873.57 thousands | +3.3% |
| 2001 | 907.1 thousands | +3.8% |
| 2002 | 948.17 thousands | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 995.01 thousands | +4.9% |
| 2004 | 1,044 thousands | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 1,093 thousands | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 1,144 thousands | +4.7% |
| 2007 | 1,199 thousands | +4.8% |
| 2008 | 1,257 thousands | +4.8% |
| 2009 | 1,318 thousands | +4.9% |
| 2010 | 1,384 thousands | +5.0% |
| 2011 | 1,452 thousands | +4.9% |
| 2012 | 1,519 thousands | +4.6% |
| 2013 | 1,589 thousands | +4.6% |
| 2014 | 1,663 thousands | +4.6% |
| 2015 | 1,741 thousands | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 1,825 thousands | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 1,914 thousands | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 2,011 thousands | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 2,114 thousands | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 2,221 thousands | +5.1% |
| 2021 | 2,337 thousands | +5.2% |
| 2022 | 2,435 thousands | +4.2% |
| 2023 | 2,552 thousands | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 2,683 thousands | +5.1% |
| 2025 | 2,820 thousands | +5.1% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 2,820 thousands is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 529.18 thousands, 5.3× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 2,820 thousands is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 105.87 thousands, 26.6× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 346.74 thousands | 275.98 thousands | 416.94 thousands | 10 |
| 1980s | 518.77 thousands | 432.57 thousands | 607.93 thousands | 10 |
| 1990s | 729.31 thousands | 626.8 thousands | 845.92 thousands | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,078 thousands | 873.57 thousands | 1,318 thousands | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,721 thousands | 1,384 thousands | 2,114 thousands | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,508 thousands | 2,221 thousands | 2,820 thousands | 6 |
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 population aged 65 years or older in Malaysia?
- Population aged 65 years or older in Malaysia was 2,820 thousands in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population aged 65 years or older recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 2,820 thousands in 2025.
- What is the lowest population aged 65 years or older recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 275.98 thousands in 1970.
- How does Malaysia rank for population aged 65 years or older?
- Malaysia ranks 42nd out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population aged 65 years or older rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 61.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population aged 65 years or older (thousands). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release