Malaysia is now home to 9.03 million children under the age of 18 making up 26.4% of the nation’s total population of 34.23 million, according to the Children Statistics, Malaysia 2025 report released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The annual report provides an overview of children’s well-being through key indicators such as population, health, education, child protection and youth crime, based on guidelines recommended by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
These figures serve as a measure of how Malaysia is progressing in improving the quality of life and opportunities for its young generation.
More Than a Quarter of Malaysians Are Children
Out of the 9.03 million children, 4.66 million are boys and 4.37 million are girls. Children under the age of five total 2.31 million, showing the importance of early childhood development in national planning.
Among Malaysia’s states and federal territories, W.P. Putrajaya recorded the highest share of children at 39.9%, followed by Kelantan (33.5%) and Terengganu (32.9%). Selangor has the largest number of children at 1.81 million, while W.P. Labuan has the lowest at just 0.03 million.
Health: Immunisation Coverage Falls Across the Board
The report stated a decline in infant immunisation coverage for 2024, raising concern among health experts. Coverage for Polio, DTP, HIB, and Hepatitis B each dropped by 6.1 percentage points, while BCG vaccination saw a smaller decline of 0.3 percentage points.
Public health authorities have highlighted the need to strengthen outreach and education programmes to ensure parents continue with timely immunisation schedules, especially after disruptions caused by the pandemic and shifting public perceptions.
Education and Childcare: Slight Drop in Enrolment, More Childcare Centres
In the education sector, government and government-aided school enrolment fell slightly by 0.2%, with the most noticeable decline at the upper secondary level, down 3.0%. Private school enrolment also decreased marginally by 0.3%, mainly due to a 3.4% drop in kindergarten enrolment.
Despite this, the number of registered Child Care Centres (TASKA) increased by 1.4% to 3,198 centres nationwide. Johor recorded the most significant growth at 29.4%, while W.P. Putrajaya experienced the sharpest decline at 21.0%. The data indicates steady demand for childcare facilities, especially in urban and industrial states, as more families rely on formal care options.
More Children in Need of Care and Support
The number of children in need of care and protection rose by 12.7%, reaching 9,624 cases in 2024. Of these, 6,031 involved girls, while cases involving boys increased more sharply, up 15.2% compared to 11.3% among girls.
Authorities said the rise may reflect greater public awareness and improved reporting mechanisms, though it also signals a continuing need for stronger community support systems and social services to protect vulnerable children.
Crime: Fewer Children Involved in Criminal Cases
On a more positive note, the number of children involved in crime decreased by 4.2%, with 2,627 cases recorded in 2024. Bumiputera children made up the majority of cases at 82.2%, followed by Chinese (9.0%), Indians (4.9%), and Others (4.1%).
The Children Statistics, Malaysia 2025 report paints a mixed picture of progress showing improvements in childcare access and declining youth crime, but also warning signs in health and education participation.
As Malaysia moves toward becoming a high-income nation, ensuring the well-being of its children remains a national priority. Continued efforts in healthcare access, education quality, and child protection will be crucial to building a resilient, skilled, and healthy future generation.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
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