Malaysia: immigration

How many foreigners live in Malaysia?

Malaysia had an estimated 3.38 million non-citizens in 2025, according to DOSM's first International Migration Statistics, Malaysia, 2025. The number fell 0.5% from 2024, after growing 13.6% the year before. There were 228 non-citizen men for every 100 women.

About 2.70 million non-citizens, or 79.8%, were of working age, 15 to 64. The quarterly population estimates put non-citizens at 3.4 million, 9.8% of the population, in the second quarter of 2026. The estimates are based on the 2020 census rolled forward and differ from counts of passes issued by the Immigration Department.

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

How many refugees are in Malaysia?

Malaysia hosted 150,164 refugees and 63,011 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. UNHCR also counted 134,676 stateless people.

The UNHCR figures count people registered with UNHCR in Malaysia, so they do not include people who have not come forward. DOSM's migration publication includes a table on asylum seekers and refugees drawn from the same source.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder · DOSM: International migration statistics, Malaysia, 2025

Where can I check a Malaysian visa or immigration status?

The Immigration Department of Malaysia publishes visa requirements, pass types and its online services, including status checks for visas and passes, on its official site.

Applications and checks should be made only through the department's site or official portals linked from it. Requirements depend on nationality and purpose of visit, and the department updates them from time to time, so the page should be checked before travel.

Official sources: Immigration Department of Malaysia

What share of Malaysia's population are immigrants?

10.7%: that is the share of people born abroad in Malaysia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 11.2% in 2015. It is 7th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 60th highest.

How many people move to Malaysia each year?

According to the UN Population Division, net migration in Malaysia was 166,615 in 2025. The peak was 232,971 in 2006 and the low 101,907 in 2020. It is 1st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is -373. World rank, highest first: 7th of 193.

How many refugees live in Malaysia?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Malaysia was 150,164 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 1st highest of 18 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 631. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 40th highest.

How many people from Malaysia are refugees?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Malaysia at 2,477 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 73, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 29. Worldwide: 87th of 189.

How big are remittances in Malaysia's economy?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 1.9% of GDP. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 2.2% of GDP; Malaysia is 10th highest of 15. World rank, highest first: 70th of 127.