By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 1: Sarawak’s total population is estimated to reach 2.54 million in 2026, recording an annual growth rate of 0.4 per cent, according to the Current Population Estimates published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The preliminary findings place Sarawak as the fifth most populous State in Malaysia, contributing 7.4 per cent to the nation’s total estimated population of 34.4 million.
Selangor retains its position as the most populous state with 7.5 million residents (21.7 per cent), followed by Johor at 4.2 million (12.3 per cent), Sabah at 3.8 million (11.0 per cent), and Perak at 2.6 million (7.5 per cent).
Despite its position among the top five most populated states, Sarawak remains the least densely populated territory in the country as it records a sparse population density of just 20 people per square kilometre.
This stands in stark contrast to highly urbanised regions such as Kuala Lumpur (8,574 per sq km) and Penang (1,562 per sq km), as well as neighbouring Sabah (51 per sq km).
Out of Sarawak’s total population, males account for 1.31 million while females make up 1.23 million, resulting in a gender ratio of 106 males for every 100 females. The State’s average household size stands at 3.8 persons across 677,200 households, with living quarters estimated at 912,200 units.
The report underscores clear demographic shifts indicating that Sarawak is rapidly joining the ranks of ageing states in Malaysia. Sarawak ranks second nationwide for its proportion of elderly residents aged 65 and above at 9.7 per cent—tying with Kedah and coming in just behind Perak (10.8 per cent).
Similarly, when evaluating senior citizens aged 60 and above, Sarawak holds the second-highest proportion in the country at 14.5 per cent, trailing only Perak (15.7 per cent).
The State’s median age has risen to 33.2 years in 2026. This places Sarawak fourth overall for highest median age, behind Kuala Lumpur (36.5 years), Selangor (34.2 years), and Penang (34.0 years).
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s working-age population (aged 15 to 64 years) makes up 71.2 per cent of its total demographic, ranking fifth highest nationally.
On vital statistics, Sarawak recorded a Crude Birth Rate of 12.0 per 1,000 population and a Crude Death Rate of 6.5 per 1,000 population in 2024. The state’s Total Fertility Rate stands at 1.5 children per woman aged 15 to 49 years.
On longevity, Sarawakians enjoy among the highest life expectancies in the nation, with life expectancy at birth estimated at 74.5 years. This trails only Selangor (76.4 years) and Kuala Lumpur (75.4 years). — DayakDaily
