Malaysia
country in Southeast Asia
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World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Climate
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain
coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Natural resources
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
People & Society
Religions
Muslim (official) 63.5%, Buddhist 18.7%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.1%, other (Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions) 0.9%, none/unspecified 1.8% (2020 est.)
Government
Government type
federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Independence
31 August 1957 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (sharia), and customary law; the Federal Court can review legislative acts at the request of the supreme head of the federation
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.212 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$34,100 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
5.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 21%, Singapore 12%, USA 12%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 24%, Singapore 11%, USA 7%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Summary
Malaysia is a sovereign state[1]. Malaysia draws 176,944 Wikipedia views per month (sovereign state category, ranking #27 of 197).[2]
Key Facts
- Ethnic group: Malays[3], Malaysian Chinese[4], Orang Asli[5], Indian Malaysians[6], Arab Malaysians[7], Africans in Malaysia[8], Javanese[9], Sundanese people[10], Minangkabau[11], Kerinci people[12]
- Country: Malaysia[13]
- Located in or next to body of water: Strait of Malacca[14], Straits of Johor[15], South China Sea[16], Brunei Bay[17], Sulu Sea[18], Celebes Sea[19]
- Head of government: Anwar Ibrahim[20]
- Continent: Asia[21]
- Instance of: country[22], country sometimes considered transcontinental[23]
- Head of state: Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor[24]
- Capital: Kuala Lumpur[25], Putrajaya[26]
- Official language: Malay[27]
- Currency: Malaysian ringgit[28]
- Shares border with: Thailand[29], Brunei[30], Indonesia[31], Singapore[32], Philippines[33]
- Top-level Internet domain: .my[34]
- Anthem: Negaraku[35]
- Basic form of government: constitutional monarchy[36], federal monarchy[37], elective monarchy[38], parliamentary monarchy[39], federation[40]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Johor[41], Kedah[42], Kelantan[43], Malacca[44], Negeri Sembilan[45], Pahang[46], Perak[47], Perlis[48], Penang[49], Sabah[50], Sarawak[51], Selangor[52], Terengganu[53], Kuala Lumpur[54]
- Flag: flag of Malaysia[55]
- Legislative body: Parliament of Malaysia[56]
- Executive body: Cabinet of Malaysia[57]
- Highest judicial authority: Federal Court of Malaysia[58]
- Coat of arms: coat of arms of Malaysia[59]
Why It Matters
Malaysia has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[60] Malaysia is known by 58 alternative names across languages and contexts.[61]