Malaysia’s population stands at 29.3 million in 2012. Average annual population growth rate has declined markedly during 1980-1981 to 1991-2000, from 2.7% to 2.1%. It is projected that population will increase to 32.4 million in 2020.
Life expectancy at birth for men and women in 2012 is measured at 72.3 and 77.2 years old, respectively. In 2012, the young population constitute about 26.4% of the total population and is expected to decline to 24% in 2020. For the aging population, it will increase from 5.3% in 2012 to 6.8% in 2020. The proportion of working age population (15-64 years old) is increasing steadily from 63.3% in 2006 to 68.3% in 2012, indicating that Malaysia is still benefiting from the demographic dividend.
In terms of health financing, government expenditure in health as percentage of total health expenditure has been in the range of 54%-59% in the time period 1995 to 2011. During the same time period, the trend for out-of-pocket expenditure fluctuated in the range of 32%-36%.
