Malaysia: health and care

What is life expectancy in Malaysia?

Life expectancy at birth in Malaysia is 75.5 years in 2026, up from 75.2 years in 2025, according to DOSM abridged life tables. It is 73.2 years for males and 78.1 years for females.

The 2026 figures are estimates based on recent death rates by age, and assume those rates stay as they are; they are not a forecast of how long people born today will live. Women outlive men by about five years.

Official sources: DOSM: Abridged life tables, Malaysia, 2026

What is the infant mortality rate in Malaysia?

Malaysia's infant mortality rate was 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, with 2,974 infant deaths, according to DOSM data on early childhood deaths. The neonatal rate, for deaths in the first 28 days, was 4.5.

Infant mortality counts deaths before the first birthday. The figures come from registered births and deaths. There were 414,918 live births in 2024, 9.0% fewer than in 2023, according to DOSM's vital statistics.

Official sources: data.gov.my: Early childhood deaths · DOSM: Vital statistics, Malaysia, 2025

How much does Malaysia spend on health?

Current health expenditure in Malaysia was 3.96% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, using WHO data. In the Budget 2027 speech, the government said the Ministry of Health's allocation will rise to RM47.7 billion in 2027 from RM46.5 billion.

The World Bank figure covers public and private spending, including what households pay out of pocket for private care. The budget allocation covers only the ministry's spending, mainly on public hospitals and clinics.

Official sources: World Bank: Current health expenditure, Malaysia · Ministry of Finance: Budget 2027 speech

Is Malaysia's birth rate falling?

Malaysia's total fertility rate fell to 1.6 children per woman in 2024 from 1.7 in 2023, according to DOSM vital statistics. Live births fell 9.0% to 414,918, and the crude birth rate fell to 12.2 per 1,000 people.

The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have at the birth rates of that year. DOSM's quarterly demographic statistics recorded 90,726 births in the second quarter of 2026, 6.1% fewer than a year earlier, and 49,827 deaths.

Official sources: DOSM: Vital statistics, Malaysia, 2025 · DOSM: Demographic statistics, Q2 2026

How fast is Malaysia's population ageing?

People aged 65 and over made up 8.4% of Malaysia's population in the second quarter of 2026, up from 8.0% a year earlier, according to DOSM demographic statistics. The total population was 34.4 million, of whom 31.0 million were citizens and 3.4 million non-citizens.

The older share is rising as births fall and life expectancy increases. In the same quarter, people aged 60 and over accounted for 71.3% of all deaths. The quarterly estimates are based on the 2020 census, rolled forward with births, deaths and migration.

Official sources: DOSM: Demographic statistics, Q2 2026

How long do people live in Malaysia?

76.8 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Malaysia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 71.5 years, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 30. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 67th highest.

How many babies die in Malaysia?

7.0 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Malaysia for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.9 per 1,000, and Malaysia placed 24th highest of 30. Worldwide: 133rd of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Malaysia?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Malaysia was 26.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 24th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 82.0 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 118th highest.

How much does Malaysia spend on health?

In 2023, current health spending in Malaysia was 4.0% of GDP, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.8% of GDP (2005) to 4.4% of GDP (2021). East Asia & Pacific median: 5.9% of GDP; Malaysia is 24th highest of 29. Worldwide: 154th of 191.

How much of health care in Malaysia do patients pay for?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Malaysia was 37.1%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.1% (2021) to 38.0% (2005). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 12.2%, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 29. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 63rd highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Malaysia?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Malaysia was 2.3 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 5 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 0.52 per 1,000. Worldwide: 25th of 58.

How many hospital beds does Malaysia have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 2.0 per 1,000. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.9 per 1,000 (2014) to 2.0 per 1,000 (2021). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.4 per 1,000, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 11. Worldwide: 47th of 73.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Malaysia?

96.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Malaysia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 98.0%; its low point was 2014, at 92.0%. East Asia & Pacific median: 91.0%; Malaysia is 9th highest of 30. Worldwide: 46th of 191.