PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are getting a longer run at life, with a baby born this year expected to live to an average age of 75.5, as life expectancy rebounds from the heavy toll of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 1.5-year increase from 2023 marks a sharp turnaround after excess deaths during the pandemic pushed the figure lower, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s (DOSM) latest ‘Abridged Life Tables, Malaysia 2024-2026’ report.
Citing the report, the department said a baby girl is expected to live for 78.1 years on average, 4.9 years longer than a baby boy, whose life expectancy is 73.2 years.
DOSM attributed the overall recovery to fewer deaths recorded between 2023 and 2026 compared with the 2020 to 2022 period.
“The increase in life expectancy is due to the lower number of deaths for the year 2023 to 2026 as compared to the 2020 to 2022 period which was attributed to excess deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said.
But the gap is not only between men and women. Where Malaysians are born can also make a sizable difference.
At state level, Selangor recorded the highest life expectancy at birth for the 2024-2026 period, climbing from 77.6 years in 2024 to 78.2 years in 2026.
Terengganu recorded the lowest, although its figure also rose from 72 years in 2024 to 72.8 years in 2026.
Only three states and federal territories exceeded the national figure this year: Selangor at 78.2 years, Kuala Lumpur at 77.3 years and Labuan at 77 years.
The differences become even wider across Malaysia’s 162 administrative districts.
Samarahan in Sarawak recorded the highest life expectancy at birth for the third consecutive year, rising from 80.3 years in 2024 to 80.9 years in 2026.
At the other end, Kecil Lojing in Kelantan recorded the lowest, at 65.8 years this year.
Overall, 32 districts surpassed the national life expectancy of 75.5 years.
For those who have already made it to their teenage or retirement years, the tables offer a longer horizon.
A 15-year-old boy in 2026 can expect to live another 59 years, reaching 74, while a 60-year-old man can expect another 18.9 years, reaching 78.9.
For women, a 15-year-old can expect another 63.7 years, reaching 78.7, while a 60-year-old can expect another 21.7 years, reaching 81.7.
There are also notable differences by ethnicity.
Chinese males recorded the highest life expectancy at 75.1 years in 2026, while Chinese females stood at 80.8 years.
Indian males recorded the lowest at 68.8 years, with Indian females at 75.8 years.
The latest figures follow a pandemic-era setback. Life expectancy had increased by 0.4 years between 2016 and 2019, before falling 0.9 years in 2022 compared with 2020.
The latest rebound suggests the decline has since been reversed, with Malaysians once again gaining years on the clock.
