Changes: What are Demographics and its Implications?

Malaysia’s total population was 32.4 million in 2020 compared to 27.5 million in 2010. Of the 2020 population figure, 9.1 million were in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. (This is according to National Census 2020).

Selangor recorded the highest population with 6.9 million, followed by Johor (4 million) and Sabah (3.4 million). Meanwhile, the lowest population was recorded in Labuan, which amounted to 95.1 thousand followed by Putrajaya 109 thousand.

 Source: http://personal.psu.edu

The population in four administrative districts exceeded one million, namely Petaling (2.3 million), Ulu Langat (1.4 million), and Klang (1.1 million persons) in Selangor and Johor Bahru (1.7 million).

The percentage of bumiputera increased to 69.4 percent in 2020 compared to 55.8 percent in 1970. The composition of Chinese Malaysians decreased to 23.2 percent from 34.1 percent in the same period while Indian Malaysians decreased from nine percent to 6.7 percent.

According to the 2020 data, bumiputera was the main ethnic group in all states except Penang. Ethnic Chinese amounted to 44.9 percent in Penang while bumiputera 44.7 percent.

Those with the highest number of bumiputera were Putrajaya (97.9 percent), Terengganu (97.6 percent) and Kelantan (96.6 percent).

Apart from Penang, the second highest with regard to Chinese composition was Kuala Lumpur (41.6 percent), followed by Johor (32.8 percent). 

The composition of Indians was the highest in Negeri Sembilan (14.3 percent), Perak (11.5 percent) and Selangor (11.3 percent). These states may still have private sector vibrancy in the economic sphere.

The implications of the above are both political and economic. The “ketuanan” issue may become less relevant with drop of Nons in the country. The economic ramification in general is that GDP growth, going forward, could be lower – for two reasons: less private sector initiative and lower investments by Nons. However, Government/public sector initiatives and domestic consumption may reduce the “gap”.

Selangor, especially Klang Valley and Johor Bahru remain significant “catchment” areas for private enterprise. More detailed analysis may provide particular towns and cities in Selangor that have the potential for more housing, retail and other services and education establishments.

The National Census is a good base to chart policies and plans for both public and private sectors.

Reference:

Census 2020: M’sia heading towards an ageing society, Ooi Choon Nam, https://newslab.malaysiakini.com