Babies born in Malaysia in 2026 expected to live 75.5 years, DOSM says

Girls born in Malaysia in 2026 are expected to live an average of 78.1 years, compared with 73.2 years for boys. — Picture by Razak Ghazali

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 1:03 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 30 — A baby born in 2026 is expected to live until the age of 75.5, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Citing its Abridged Life Tables, Malaysia 2024-2026, released today, DOSM said a baby girl is on average expected to live up to 78.1 years, 4.9 years longer than a baby boy, at 73.2 years.

“The highest life expectancy at birth for males and females by state for the period of 2024 to 2026 was recorded in Selangor, while Terengganu recorded the lowest.

“Three states exceeded the national level life expectancy (75.5 years) for 2026, namely Selangor (78.2 years), W.P. Kuala Lumpur (77.3 years) and W.P. Labuan (77.0 years),” the statement read. 

DOSM said life expectancy at birth in 2019 rose 0.4 years compared with 2016, with male life expectancy increasing from 72.1 to 72.5 years and female life expectancy also up by 0.4 years.

Meanwhile, DOSM said life expectancy at birth in 2019 rose 0.4 years compared with 2016, with male life expectancy up from 72.1 to 72.5 years and female life expectancy also rising 0.4 years.

“However, in 2022, life expectancy at birth decreased by 0.9 years, with male life expectancy falling by 1.0 year and female life expectancy down by 0.8 years compared with 2020. In 2026, life expectancy at birth increased by 1.5 years compared with 2023.”

“The increase in life expectancy is due to the lower number of deaths from 2023 to 2026 as compared to the 2020 to 2022 period, which was attributed to excess deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement read.

DOSM said males aged 15 and 60 years in 2026 are expected to live another 59.0 years and 18.9 years, respectively.

“This indicates that males aged 15 and 60 years in 2026 are expected to live until the age of 74.0 years and 78.9 years, respectively.

“On the other hand, females in the same age groups are expected to live for another 63.7 years and 21.7 years, with life expectancy of 78.7 years and 81.7 years, respectively,” the statement added. — Bernama