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Malaysia

Quick facts

Capital
Kuala Lumpur
Population
35,977,838
Region
South-Eastern Asia
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
Language
English, Malay

Interesting Facts About Malaysia

  • Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy consisting of 13 states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two distinct regions: Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia on Borneo.
  • The country has a population of over 34 million, making it the world's 43rd-most populous country.
  • About 80 percent of Malaysia's population lives on Peninsular Malaysia, with 75.1% of the total population concentrated in urban areas.
  • Malaysia's population is ethnically diverse: 70.6% are bumiputera (a constitutional classification), with Malays being the largest group, while 22.1% are Malaysian Chinese and 6.5% are Malaysian Indian.
  • Islam is established as the 'religion of the Federation' in the constitution, with approximately 63.5% of the population practising Islam, followed by Buddhism (18.7%), Christianity (9.1%), and Hinduism (6.1%).
  • Every Malaysian citizen receives a biometric smart chip identity card called MyKad at the age of 12 and must carry it at all times.
  • Malaysia hosts approximately 171,500 refugees and asylum seekers, with the largest populations from Myanmar (around 79,000), the Philippines (around 72,400), and Indonesia (around 17,700).

View Kuala Lumpur guide

Kuala Lumpur
Capital of Malaysia