• The number of deaths in 2021 increased 34.5 per cent from 166,970 deaths in 2020 due to excess death during COVID-19 pandemic. Medically certified deaths improved to 70.0 per cent (157,251) of 224,569 deaths while 30.0 per cent (67,318) was non-medically certified deaths.
• COVID-19 infection (due to) is the principal causes of death in Malaysia which recorded 31,063 deaths or 19.8 per cent of the 157,251 medically certified deaths in 2021. Ischaemic heart diseases was the second highest causes of death with 13.7 per cent followed by Pneumonia (11.1%), Cerebrovascular diseases (6.5%) and Transport accidents (1.9%).
• COVID-19 infection (due to) was the main causes of death for males and females with 17,708 and 13,355 deaths, respectively.
• The principal causes of death for major ethnic groups in Malaysia was COVID-19 infection (due to) with Malay (17.9%), Other Bumiputera (18.5%), Chinese (16.3%) and Indians (19.5%).
• All age groups recorded COVID-19 infection (due to) as the leading causes of death except for the age group of 0-14 years which recorded Transport accidents as the main causes of death.
• Nine states recorded COVID-19 infection (due to) as the principal causes of death in 2021 except for Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis and Terengganu. These states recorded Ischaemic heart diseases as the principal causes of death. Meanwhile, only W.P. Putrajaya recorded Pneumonia as the principal causes of death at 12.4 per cent.

The full publication of the Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2022 can be downloaded through  eStatistik portal.

Released by:
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA
27 October 2022

Contact person:

Baharudin Mohamad 
Public Relation Officer
Strategic Communication and International Division
Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Tel : +603-8885 7942
Fax : +603-8888 9248
Email : baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my