PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 — The Orang Asli population in Malaysia is estimated to have reached 227,900 in 2025 as compared to 213,461 in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2 per cent, according to the Special Report On The Demographics Of Orang Asli released by the Department of Statistics (DOSM) today.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Pahang recorded the highest Orang Asli population at 82,824 in 2020, followed by Perak (58,942), and Selangor (21,312).
“Batang Padang in Perak recorded the highest population at 17,092, followed by Lipis (14,999), and Rompin (14,985) in Pahang,” he said in a statement today.
The composition of the Orang Asli population consists of 108,354 males (50.8 per cent) compared to 105,107 females (49.2 per cent).
Meanwhile, the sex ratio remained at 103 males for every 100 females in both 2020 and 2010. The highest sex ratio was recorded in Labuan (150), Sabah (116), and Kedah (115).
Uzir added that the Orang Asli community comprises three main ethnic groups — Senoi, Melayu Proto, and Negrito — totalling 18 sub-ethnic groups.
The Senoi group includes the sub-ethnic groups Temiar, Semai, Mah Meri, Jahut, Che Wong, and Semoq Beri; the Melayu Proto group includes Jakun, Temuan, Semelai, Orang Kuala, Orang Kanaq and Orang Seletar; while Negrito group includes Kensiu, Kintaq, Jahai, Mendriq, Bateq, and Lanoh.
“The percentage of Melayu Proto increased to 44.4 per cent (2020) as compared to 40.9 per cent (2010), while Senoi and Negrito decreased to 53.5 per cent and 2.1 per cent (2020) from 56.0 per cent and 3.1 per cent (2010).
“The majority of the Orang Asli population were self-employed, accounting for 59.7 per cent in 2020 as compared to 50.2 per cent in 2010. Private employee is the second highest with 28.7 per cent, followed by government employee (6.6 per cent), unpaid family worker (4.3 per cent), and employer (0.7 per cent),” he said.
The number of live births among the Orang Asli in 2024 was 4,198, a decrease of 9.1 per cent compared with 4,620 in 2020. Pahang recorded the highest number of live births, with 1,779 in 2024.
Deaths among the Orang Asli increased by 23.4 per cent to 1,278 in 2024 from 1,036 in 2020, and Pahang recorded the highest number of deaths, with 526 in 2024.
Uzir noted that ischemic heart disease became the cause of death among Orang Asli in 2020 (12.5 per cent), replacing pneumonia (12.0 per cent) in 2010.
