Ten districts have been newly classified as ageing, with residents aged 65 and above reaching 7% in 2025 according to data released by the statistics department today.
The districts are Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, Jerantut and Kuantan in Pahang, Kluang and Pontian in Johor, Alor Gajah in Melaka, Bachok in Kelantan, Seberang Perai Selatan in Penang, Subis in Sarawak and Keningau in Sabah.
“All districts in northern Malaysia are now classified as ageing districts,” Bernama reported Chief Statistician Uzir Mahidin as saying.
The United Nations’ ageing classification has three categories: ageing, aged and super-aged societies, which refer to populations aged 65 years and over reaching 7%, 14% and 20% respectively.
According to the National Senior Citizens Policy, a community is ageing when those 60 years old and above make up 15% of the population.
Uzir noted that the Petaling district in Selangor had the highest population in 2025 at 2.4 million, followed by Johor Bahru, Johor at 1.8 million and Ulu Langat, Selangor at 1.5 million.
“Kecil Lojing, Kelantan recorded the highest growth rate at 3.6%, followed by Marang, Terengganu (1.6%) and Kemaman, Terengganu (1.4%), while Bukit Mabong, Sarawak recorded the lowest population at 10,700, followed by Song, Sarawak (10,400) and Tanjung Manis, Sarawak (7,900).
“Three districts in Kelantan recorded the highest share of young people aged 0 to 14 years in 2025, with Gua Musang (32.4%), Kecil Lojing (31.9%) and Tumpat (31.6%),” he said.
For the working-age group (15-64 years), Sebauh, Sarawak led with 80%, followed by Belaga, Sarawak (78.8%) and Kinabatangan, Sabah (78.4%).
Lubok Antu, Sarawak registered the highest percentage of people aged 65 years and over at 15.7%.
On ethnic composition, Uzir said Setiu, Terengganu recorded the highest number of Bumiputeras at 99.8%, followed by Nabawan, Sabah (99.6%) and Hulu Terengganu, Terengganu (99.4%).
The highest number of Chinese was recorded in Timur Laut, Penang at 63.5%, followed by Sibu, Sarawak (48%) and Kampar, Perak (47.7%).
As for Indians, the highest number was recorded in Bagan Datuk, Perak (23.1%), followed by Klang, Selangor (18.6%) and Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan (18.2%).
