GENERAL
Chinese Population in Malaysia: A Data Overview
Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated cultural festivals in Malaysia. Beyond the celebrations, the Chinese community plays a significant role in shaping the country’s demographic, cultural, and economic landscape. This article explores the Chinese population in Malaysia through data, examining where they live, their distribution, and gender structure.
Source: The data used in this analysis is obtained from the Current Population Estimates 2025 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (Link)
Malaysian Chinese Population Overview
The Chinese community is the second largest ethnic group in Malaysia, accounting for approximately 20% of the total population.
Key Snapshot
- Rank among ethnic groups: 2nd largest
- Share of population (Total Malaysia): 20%
- Total population: [6.8 million]
Population by State (%)
This section shows the percentage of Chinese within each state’s population, highlighting where the community forms a larger share of residents.
Key Observations
Pulau Pinang recorded the highest share of the Chinese population at 39%, followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur, while W.P. Putrajaya had the lowest at 0.5%.
Where do Malaysian Chinese Live?
Selangor is home to 25.7% of the Malaysian Chinese population, followed by Johor, W.P. Kuala Lumpur, and Pulau Pinang. In contrast, W.P. Putrajaya has a much smaller Chinese population, with only 600 residents.
Malaysian Chinese: Gender Population
The gender distribution of the Malaysian Chinese population in Malaysia remains relatively balanced, with 50.8% males and 49.2% females.
By state, Sabah recorded the highest proportion of male Malaysian Chinese at 52.5%, followed by Pahang (51.9%).
Meanwhile, only two states have a higher female Malaysian Chinese population: Kedah (50.4%) and W.P. Labuan (56.2%).
Table: Malaysian Chinese Population
Closing
The Chinese community continues to play an important role in Malaysia’s multicultural identity. Understanding demographic patterns provides insight into population distribution and future trends, especially during a culturally significant time like the Chinese New Year.
