Country Profile: Malaysia

Malaysia is a strategically located nation in Southeast Asia, comprising the Malay Peninsula and part of the island of Borneo. It has a population of approximately 34.6 million people, characterized by a diverse ethnic mix, primarily Malays, Chinese, and Indians. The country has transitioned from an economy reliant on raw materials to one that is upper middle-income, with significant contributions from manufacturing and services. Malaysia operates as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with Kuala Lumpur as its capital.

Geography

Malaysia is situated in Southeastern Asia, sharing borders with Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea. The nation covers an area of approximately 329,847 sq km, slightly larger than New Mexico. The tropical climate features two monsoon seasons and a mix of coastal plains, hills, and mountains. It boasts a coastline of 4,675 km and is rich in natural resources including tin, petroleum, and timber.

2,742 km of land boundaries with neighboring countries
12 nm territorial sea claims
57.9% of land classified as forest (2022)
Home to Gunung Kinabalu, the highest point at 4,095 m
Over 80% of the population resides on the Malay Peninsula

People and Society

Malaysia has a diverse population of about 34.6 million people, with Malays accounting for 63.8% of the demographic. The official language is Bahasa Malaysia, while Islam is the principal religion, practiced by 63.5% of the population. Urbanization is significant, with 78.7% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023. The country has a median age of 31.8 years, reflecting a relatively young population.

22.2% of the population is aged 0-14 years
96% literacy rate as of 2022
14.2 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024)
Life expectancy is 76.6 years in 2024
6.2% of the population lives below the poverty line (2021)

Economy

Malaysia's economy is classified as upper middle-income, with a strong emphasis on electronics, oil, and chemicals. The trade sector employs over 40% of the workforce. In 2024, the GDP (PPP) is estimated at $1.212 trillion, with real GDP growth expected at 5.1%. The economy is increasingly focused on key anticorruption policies and improving labor productivity.

3.9% unemployment rate (2024)
53.6% of GDP from the services sector (2024)
$301.789 billion in exports projected for 2024
12.6% of GDP from tax revenues (2023)
Population below the poverty line is 6.2% (2021)

Government

Malaysia operates as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a king serving as the head of state and a prime minister at the helm of government. The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The nation has a mixed legal system that incorporates English common law and Islamic law.

13 states and 1 federal territory
King elected for a 5-year term from hereditary rulers
Prime Minister ANWAR Ibrahim appointed since November 2022
Universal suffrage at 18 years
Last legislative election was on October 24, 2023

Military and Security

The Malaysian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, tasked with both national defense and domestic responsibilities. As of 2025, military expenditures are estimated to be 1% of GDP, with approximately 110,000 active personnel. Malaysia participates in international military cooperations, including the Five Powers Defense Arrangements.

830 troops deployed in Lebanon for UNIFIL (2024)
Military service is voluntary, with an enlistment age of 17 years and 6 months
Diverse military inventory from various international suppliers
Focus on modernizing air and maritime assets
No conscription currently in place

Energy

Malaysia boasts a robust energy sector with 100% electricity access for its population as of 2022. The country's electricity generation heavily relies on fossil fuels, with about 81.9% of capacity from this source. Malaysia is a significant producer of natural gas and petroleum, contributing to its energy consumption needs.

Total electricity consumption estimated at 178.653 billion kWh (2023)
Petroleum production at 582,000 bbl/day (2023)
Natural gas production at 74.32 billion cubic meters (2023)
13.188 billion kWh in transmission/distribution losses (2023)
Coal consumption stands at 35.741 million metric tons (2023)

Environment

Environmental challenges include air and water pollution, deforestation, and the impact of climate change. The Malaysian government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues. Urbanization and industrialization have further intensified the need for environmental conservation efforts.

57.9% of land is forested (2022)
26.1% of land is agricultural (2022)
Participates in the Paris Agreement and other climate initiatives
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,982,685 tons (2014)
Significant water pollution concerns from sewage and industrial runoff

Transportation

Malaysia has a comprehensive transportation network, featuring ports, airports, and railways. The country operates over 100 airports and possesses a significant merchant marine fleet. The rail network extends approximately 1,851 km, facilitating both passenger and freight movement.

1,750 vessels in the merchant marine fleet (2023)
35 ports with varying classifications (2024)
24 heliports available (2025)
Civil aircraft registrations begin with the prefix 9M
100 airports planned by 2025

Communications

With a high penetration of mobile and internet services, Malaysia's communication infrastructure is well-developed. Approximately 98% of the population is estimated to be internet users, and there are over 50 million mobile subscriptions.

24 fixed telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)
141 mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2022)
4.58 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
The country code for the internet is .my
About 55 radio stations operate nationwide (2019)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	34,564,810 (2024 est.)
Area	329,847 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.212 trillion (2024)
Energy Consumption per Capita	113.163 million Btu/person (2023)
Birth Rate	14.2 births/1,000 population (2024)
Unemployment Rate	3.9% (2024)
Electricity Access	100% (2022)
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.6 years (2024)
Literacy Rate	96% (2022)
Urban Population	78.7% (2023)