Malaysia’s total population was estimated at 34.4 million in the first quarter of this year (1Q26) as compared with the 34.2 million recorded in the same period last year, with a slower growth of 0.5 percent, according to the demographic statistics for 1Q 2026 released by the Statistics Department today.

Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said the male population increased to 18.0 million from 17.9 million in 1Q26, and the female population rose to 16.3 million from 16.2 million in the same period a year ago.