Malaysia · Asia
How many people die in Malaysia every day?
In Malaysia, about 493 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 180,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 53rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 74.9 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
493
Deaths per year
180,000
Life expectancy
74.9 years
Population
34,308,525
Death rate
5.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Malaysia
74.9
World avg
72.8
+2.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Malaysia
5.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Malaysia by time period
| Per hour | 21 |
| Per day | 493 |
| Per week | 3,452 |
| Per month | 15,000 |
| Per year | 180,000 |
What people die of in Malaysia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Malaysia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 20.5% of all deaths, about 122 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and stroke.
Deaths from skin diseases have increased about 8-fold since 2000, from about 471 to 3,738 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 44,411 | 122 | 20.5% | +117% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 27,283 | 75 | 12.6% | +221% |
| 3 | Stroke | 26,162 | 72 | 12.1% | +95% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 9,074 | 25 | 4.2% | +170% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 6,940 | 19 | 3.2% | +124% |
| 6 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 6,746 | 18 | 3.1% | +252% |
| 7 | COPD | 6,661 | 18 | 3.1% | +67% |
| 8 | Lung cancer | 5,112 | 14 | 2.4% | +132% |
| 9 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 4,418 | 12 | 2% | +56% |
| 10 | Skin diseases | 3,738 | 10 | 1.7% | +694% |
Deaths in Malaysia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 217,032 people died in Malaysia in 2023, 106% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 105,442 deaths |
| 2010 | 137,710 deaths |
| 2019 | 190,272 deaths |
| 2023 | 217,032 deaths |
Life expectancy in Malaysia since 1950
A baby born in Malaysia in 1950 could expect to live about 48.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 76.7, a gain of 28.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 48.5 years |
| 1980 | 68.1 years |
| 2000 | 72.7 years |
| 2010 | 75.4 years |
| 2019 | 75.9 years |
| 2023 | 76.7 years |
Malaysia compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Malaysia ranks 18th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 493 | 74.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Yemen | 493 | 63.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uzbekistan | 466 | 71.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Saudi Arabia | 274 | 76.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Nepal | 521 | 68.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Afghanistan | 633 | 62 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Malaysia every day?
In Malaysia, about 493 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 180,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Malaysia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 20.5% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Malaysia?
Life expectancy at birth in Malaysia is 74.9 years, 2.1 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 81st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Malaysia high?
Malaysia records about 5.2 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.