Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes was 3.35 million in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
3.35 million
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
66th
of 197 countries
All-time high
3.38 million
in 2024
All-time low
3.20 million
in 2018
Years of data
23
2003–2025
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia, 2003–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia is 3.35 million, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 3.38 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 3.20 million, in 2018.
Malaysia ranks 66th of 197 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3.27 million | — |
| 2004 | 3.29 million | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 3.30 million | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 3.29 million | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 3.28 million | -0.4% |
| 2008 | 3.27 million | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 3.27 million | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 3.27 million | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 3.28 million | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 3.28 million | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 3.28 million | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 3.27 million | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 3.25 million | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 3.22 million | -0.8% |
| 2017 | 3.20 million | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 3.20 million | -0.0% |
| 2019 | 3.25 million | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 3.31 million | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 3.34 million | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 3.37 million | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 3.38 million | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 3.38 million | +0.1% |
| 2025 | 3.35 million | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.28 million | 3.27 million | 3.30 million | 7 |
| 2010s | 3.25 million | 3.20 million | 3.28 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.35 million | 3.31 million | 3.38 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 63 Kazakhstan 3.54 million compare
- 64 Poland 3.52 million compare
- 65 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 3.41 million compare
- 67 Zimbabwe 3.13 million compare
- 68 Chile 3.03 million compare
- 69 Dominican Republic 2.83 million compare
More education data for Malaysia
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 0.5628 % change on previous year (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 273,792 (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 7.51 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.29 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate -1.71 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.35 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 2.83 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 936,008 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual -2.2 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Population of compulsory school age, both sexes in Malaysia was 3.35 million in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.38 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest population of compulsory school age, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.20 million in 2018.
- How does Malaysia rank for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 66th out of 197 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population of compulsory school age, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release