World Factbook
Malaysia
Introduction
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 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 MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO.
Geography
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
Geographic coordinates
2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
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
Land boundaries
total: 2,742 km
border countries (3): Brunei 266 km, Indonesia 1881 km, Thailand 595 km
Coastline
4,675 km(Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12nm
exclusive economic zone: 200nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
Climate
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain
coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation
mean elevation: 419 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m
Natural resources
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land use
agricultural land: 23.2% (2011 est.)
arable land: 2.9% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 19.4% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 0.9% (2011 est.)
forest: 62% (2011 est.)
other: 14.8% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land
3,800 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Natural hazards
flooding; landslides; forest fires
Environment - current issues
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites
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
Geography - note
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
People and Society
Population
31,809,660 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Nationality
noun: Malaysian(s)
adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups
Bumiputera 62% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 10.3% (2017 est.)
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; the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan
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.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 27.48%(male 4,498,796 /female 4,243,418)
15-24 years: 16.74%(male 2,704,318 /female 2,621,444)
25-54 years: 40.97%(male 6,587,529 /female 6,444,430)
55-64 years: 8.46%(male 1,364,858 /female 1,325,595)
65 years and over: 6.35%(male 957,841 /female 1,061,431) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 44.6 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 36.1 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.5 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 11.8 (2015 est.)
Median age
total: 28.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 28.4 years
female: 29 years
country comparison to the world: 130
Population growth rate
1.34% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Birth rate
18.8 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Death rate
5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Net migration rate
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Population distribution
a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Urbanization
urban population: 76.6% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 2.13% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population
7.78 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.003 million Johor Bahru, 800,000 Ipoh (2019)
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 (2018 est.)
Maternal mortality rate
29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Infant mortality rate
total: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 112
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 75.4 years (2018 est.)
male: 72.6 years
female: 78.4 years
country comparison to the world: 107
Total fertility rate
2.48 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Contraceptive prevalence rate
52.2% (2014)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 93% of population
total: 98.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 7% of population
total: 1.8% of population (2015 est.)
Current Health Expenditure
3.8% (2016)
Physicians density
1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Hospital bed density
1.9 beds/1,000 population (2015)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 96.1% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 95.9% of population (2015 est.)
total: 96% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 3.9% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 4.1% of population (2015 est.)
total: 4% of population (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.4% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
87,000 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - deaths
2,600 (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: intermediate (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea (2016)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2016)
water contact diseases: leptospirosis (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
15.6% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 125
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
13.7% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 48
Education expenditures
4.7% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 80
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.6%
male: 96.2%
female: 93.2% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2017)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 10.5%
male: 9.8%
female: 11.4% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Government
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"
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 the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls)
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)
etymology: the Malay word for "river junction or estuary" is "kuala" and "lumpur" means "mud"; together the words render the meaning of "muddy confluence"
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
Independence
31 August 1957 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
Constitution
history: previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957
amendments: proposed as a bill by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in the bill’s second and third readings; a number of constitutional sections are excluded from amendment or repeal; amended many times, last in 2010 (2017)
Legal system
mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic (sharia) law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal (2019)
Executive branch
chief of state: King Sultan ABDULLAH Sultan Ahmad Shah (since 24 January 2019); note - King MUHAMMAD V (formerly known as Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra) (selected on 14 October 2016; installed on 13 December 2016) resigned on 6 January 2019; 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 MAHATHIR Mohamad (since 10 May 2018); Deputy Prime Minister WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail (since 21 May 2018) (2019)
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 24 January 2019 (next to be held in 2024); 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
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament of Malaysia or Parlimen Malaysia consists of:
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)
House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) (2019)
elections:
Senate - appointed
House of Representatives - last held on 9 May 2018 (next to be held no later than May 2023)
election results:
Senate - appointed; composition - men 54, women 14, percent of women 20.6%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - PH 45.6%, BN 33.8%, PAS 16.9%, WARISAN 2.3%, other 1.4%; seats by party/coalition - PH 113, BN 79, PAS 18, WARISAN 8, USA 1, independent 3; composition - men 199, women 23, percent of women 10.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 12.8%
note: as of 16 November 2019, seats by party - PH 129, BN 41, GS 18, GPS 18, WARISAN 9, GBS 3, UPKO 1, PSB 1, independent 1, vacant 1
Judicial branch
highest courts: 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, 8 judges, and 1 "additional" judge); 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 66 with the possibility of a single 6-month extension
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court
Political parties and leaders
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [LIOW Tiong Lai]
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [S. SUBRAMANIAM]
United Malays National Organization or UMNO [MOHAMAD Hasan, acting]
Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH (formerly the People's Alliance):
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok Wai]
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [MAHATHIR bin Mohamad]
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU]
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim]
Other:
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]
Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing]
Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal]
Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] (includes PBB, SUPP, PRS, PDP)
Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING]
Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian]
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU]
United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah)
United Sabah Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Maximus ONGKILI]
United Sabah People's (Party Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]
United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB; note - PBB is listed under GPS above
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
Ambassador AZMIL Mohd Azbidi (since 8 April 2019)
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
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Kamala Shirin LAKHDHIR (since 21 February 2017)
telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152
FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207
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
National symbol(s)
tiger, hibiscus; national colors: gold, black
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
Economy
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 2013-17. The ringgit 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$933.3 billion (2017 est.)
$881.3 billion (2016 est.)
$845.6 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 26
GDP (official exchange rate)
$312.4 billion (2017 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
5.9% (2017 est.)
4.2% (2016 est.)
5.1% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$29,100 (2017 est.)
$27,900 (2016 est.)
$27,100 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 71
Gross national saving
28.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
28.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 55.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 25.3% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -64.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 8.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 37.6% (2017 est.)
services: 53.6% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - products
Peninsular Malaysia - palm oil, rubber, cocoa, rice;Sabah - palm oil, subsistence crops; rubber, timber;Sarawak - palm oil, rubber, timber; pepper
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
Industrial production growth rate
5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Labor force
14.94 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 11%
industry: 36%
services: 53% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
3.4% (2017 est.)
3.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Population below poverty line
3.8% (2009 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
46.2 (2009)
49.2 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 32
Budget
revenues: 51.25 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 60.63 billion (2017 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Public debt
54.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
56.2% of GDP (2016 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: 86
Fiscal year
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.8% (2017 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled
country comparison to the world: 151
Central bank discount rate
3% (31 December 2011)
2.83% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 111
Commercial bank prime lending rate
4.61% (31 December 2017 est.)
4.52% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Stock of narrow money
$107.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$84.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Stock of broad money
$107.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$84.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Stock of domestic credit
$482.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$398.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
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
Current account balance
$9.296 billion (2017 est.)
$7.236 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Exports
$187.9 billion (2017 est.)
$165.3 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Exports - partners
Singapore 15.1%, China 12.6%, US 9.4%, Japan 8.2%, Thailand 5.7%, Hong Kong 4.5% (2017)
Exports - commodities
semiconductors and electronic equipment, palm oil, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals, solar panels
Imports
$160.7 billion (2017 est.)
$141 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Imports - commodities
electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
Imports - partners
China 19.9%, Singapore 10.8%, US 8.4%, Japan 7.6%, Thailand 5.8%, South Korea 4.5%, Indonesia 4.4% (2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$102.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Debt - external
$217.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$195.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$139.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$121.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$128.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$126.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Exchange rates
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar -
4.343 (2017 est.)
4.15 (2016 est.)
4.15 (2015 est.)
3.91 (2014 est.)
3.27 (2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Electricity - production
148.3 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - consumption
136.9 billion kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Electricity - exports
3 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - imports
33 million kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Electricity - installed generating capacity
33 million kW (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - from fossil fuels
78% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - from other renewable sources
4% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Crude oil - production
647,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Crude oil - exports
326,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Crude oil - imports
166,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - proved reserves
3.6 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Refined petroleum products - production
528,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Refined petroleum products - consumption
704,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Refined petroleum products - exports
208,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Refined petroleum products - imports
304,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - production
69.49 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - consumption
30.44 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas - exports
38.23 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Natural gas - imports
2.803 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - proved reserves
1.183 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
226.8 million Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 6,578,200
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 42,338,500
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Telephone system
general assessment: modern system featuring good intercity services mainly by microwave radio relay and an adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service excellent; one of the most advanced telecom networks; roll-out of a national broadband network (2018)
domestic: fixed-line 21 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 135 per 100 persons; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations (2018)
international: country code - 60; landing points for BBG, FEA, SAFE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4 & 5, AAE-1, JASUKA, BDM, Dumai-Melaka Cable System, BRCS, ACE, AAG, East-West Submarine Cable System, SEAX-1, SKR1M, APCN-2, APG, BtoBe, MCT, BaSICS, and Labuan-Brunei Submarine cable providing connectivity via international submarine cable networks to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)
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 (2019)
Internet country code
.my
Internet users
total: 24,384,952
percent of population: 78.8% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 2,687,800
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Military and Security
Military expenditures
0.98% of GDP (2018)
1.12% of GDP (2017)
1.41% of GDP (2016)
1.53% of GDP (2015)
1.46% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 119
Military and security forces
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) (2019)
Malaysia created a National Special Operations Force in 2016 for combating terrorism threats; the force is comprised of personnel from the Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Coast Guard, MMEA)
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 (2017)
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; 11 attacks were reported in 2018 including eight ships boarded and seven crew taken hostage
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 12 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 263 (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 50,347,149 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,005,979,379mt-km (2015)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
9M (2016)
Airports
114 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 51
Airports - with paved runways
total: 39 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 8 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 (2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2017)
under 914 m: 8 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 75 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2013)
under 914 m: 69 (2013)
Heliports
4 (2013)
Pipelines
354 km condensate, 6439 km gas, 155 km liquid petroleum gas, 1937 km oil, 43 km oil/gas/water, 114 km refined products, 26 km water (2013)
Railways
total: 1,851 km (2014)
standard gauge: 59 km1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified) (2014)
narrow gauge: 1,792 km1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified) (2014)
country comparison to the world: 77
Roadways
total: 144,403 km(excludes local roads) (2010)
paved: 116,169 km(includes 1,821 km of expressways) (2010)
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
Merchant marine
total: 1,704
by type: bulk carrier 15, container ship 22, general cargo 182, oil tanker 137, other 1348 (2018)
country comparison to the world: 15
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Port Kelang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas
container port(s) (TEUs): Port Kelang (Port Klang) (11,978,000), Tanjung Pelepas (8,260,000) (2017)
LNG terminal(s) (export): Bintulu (Sarawak)
LNG terminal(s) (import): Sungei Udang
Terrorism
Terrorist groups - foreign based
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI): aim(s): enhance networks in Malaysia and, ultimately, overthrow the secular Malaysian Government and establish a pan-Islamic state across Southeast Asia
area(s) of operation: maintains a recruitment and operational presence, primarily in major cities (2018)
Transnational Issues
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, which is currently being negotiated between China and ASEAN; 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
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 114,227 (Burma) (2018)
stateless persons: 9,631 (2018); 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)
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
