Malaysians can expect to live 75.5 years, women nearly 5yrs longer than men

KUALA LUMPUR: Life expectancy in Malaysia has risen to 75.5 years this year with women expected to live nearly five years longer than men, according to the Statistics Department.

The department's Abridged Life Tables, Malaysia, 2024-2026 showed that a baby girl born in 2026 is expected to live to 78.1 years, compared with 73.2 years for a baby boy.

Selangor recorded the highest life expectancy among states at 78.2 years in 2026, up from 77.9 years in 2025 and 77.6 years in 2024.

It was followed by Kuala Lumpur at 77.3 years and Labuan at 77.0 years. These were the only three states and federal territories above the national average.

Terengganu recorded the lowest life expectancy at 72.8 years, although this was higher than 72.6 years in 2025 and 72.0 years in 2024.

At district level, Samarahan, Sarawak had the highest life expectancy for the third consecutive year, rising from 80.3 years in 2024 to 80.6 years in 2025 and 80.9 years in 2026.

Meanwhile, Kecil Lojing in Kelantan recorded the lowest life expectancy at 65.8 years in 2026.

The department said 32 of the 162 administrative districts recorded life expectancy above the national level.

For males, Kalabakan, Sabah had the highest life expectancy at 79.8 years, while Samarahan recorded the highest for females at 82.8 years.

Life expectancy at birth in 2026 was 1.5 years higher than in 2023, reflecting fewer deaths compared with the 2020-2022 period, which was affected by excess deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic.

By ethnicity, Chinese recorded the highest life expectancy in 2026, at 75.1 years for males and 80.8 years for females.

Indians recorded the lowest life expectancy, at 68.8 years for males and 75.8 years for females.

Men aged 60 in 2026 are expected to live another 18.9 years, reaching 78.9, while women aged 60 are expected to live another 21.7 years, reaching 81.7.