⌛ Then vs now
How has Malaysia changed since 1990?
1990 then 2025 latest dataPeople in Malaysia now live 5.8 years longer than in 1990.
People
Population
17.8 million in 1990, 36 million in 2025.
Fertility rate
3.3 children per woman in 1990, 1.54 children per woman in 2024.
Median age
20.4 years in 1990, 30.1 years in 2023.
Aged 65 and over
3.6% in 1990, 8% in 2025.
Money
GDP per person (PPP)
Int$6,890 in 1990, Int$41,500 in 2025.
Economy size (GDP)
$44 billion in 1990, $472 billion in 2025.
Unemployment
3.7% in 1991, 3.8% in 2025.
Military spending
2.6% in 1990, 1% in 2024.
Health
Life expectancy
71 years in 1990, 76.8 years in 2024.
Infant mortality
12.4 per 1,000 in 1990, 7 per 1,000 in 2024.
Adult obesity
4.9% in 1990, 23.6% in 2024.
Everyday life
Meat supply
37.9 kg in 1990, 69.1 kg in 2023.
Daily calories
2,700 kcal in 1990, 2,930 kcal in 2023.
Years of schooling
6.2 years in 1990, 11.1 years in 2023.
Working hours
2,420 hours in 1990, 2,310 hours in 2023.
Connected
Urban population
49% in 1990, 77% in 2025.
Internet users
0% in 1990, 98% in 2024.
Mobile subscriptions
0 in 1990, 140 in 2024.
Planet
CO₂ per person
3 t in 1990, 8.2 t in 2024.
Forest cover
62.8% in 1990, 57.7% in 2023.
Renewable electricity
17.5% in 1990, 20.7% in 2025.
Safety
Homicide rate
1.8 per 100k in 1990, 0.7 per 100k in 2023.