How many Chinese are there in Malaysia? Demographic structure and latest data analysis
Malaysia is a multicultural country. As the second largest ethnic group, the Chinese population has always been the focus of social attention in terms of population size and proportion. This article will analyze the current situation of the Chinese in Malaysia based on the latest data and historical trends.
1. Total Chinese population in Malaysia
According to the estimated data released by the Malaysian Department of Statistics in 2023, the Chinese population in the country is approximately 6.9 million, accounting for about 23% of the total population. The following is a comparison of the changes in the Chinese population in the past 10 years:
| Year | Chinese population (10,000) | Proportion of total population |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 650 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 690 | 23.0% |
2. Regional distribution characteristics
Malaysian Chinese are mainly concentrated in the following areas:
| State | Chinese population (10,000) | Proportion of the state’s population |
|---|---|---|
| Selangor | 180 | 31.2% |
| Penang | 75 | 44.9% |
| Johor | 110 | 33.6% |
| thunderbolt | 65 | 28.3% |
3. Trends in population structure changes
In recent years, the Chinese population in Malaysia has shown three significant characteristics:
1.Fertility rates continue to decline: The total fertility rate of Chinese people has dropped from 3.5 in 1970 to 1.3 in 2022, which is far lower than the national average of 2.1
2.Accelerating aging: The proportion of Chinese over 65 years old has reached 12%, and is expected to exceed 18% in 2030
3.The impact of immigration: About 15,000-20,000 Chinese choose to immigrate every year, with the main destinations being Singapore, Australia and China.
4. Characteristics of the Chinese community
| language use | Proportion |
|---|---|
| mandarin | 85% |
| Dialects (Cantonese/Minnan, etc.) | 92% |
| Malay | 78% |
| English | 65% |
5. Economic and social status
The Chinese occupy an important position in the Malaysian economy:
- Controls about 40% of listed companies
- Account for 35% of the professional and technical personnel group
- Contributes about 30% of GDP
However, political participation is relatively low, with the proportion of Chinese members of Congress being approximately 15%.
6. Future Outlook
Experts predict that by 2030, the proportion of Chinese in Malaysia may drop to less than 20%. Population reduction will bring challenges such as labor shortage and cultural inheritance, but high education level and economic vitality are still the advantages of the Chinese community.
Overall, 6.9 million Malaysian Chinese constitute one of the most influential Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Their unique multilingual abilities and cross-cultural adaptability will continue to play an important role in the development of Malaysian society.
check the details
check the details
en
