Introduction

The demographic data upon which this chapter is based are extracted from the four pan-Malaysia Censuses of Population conducted after the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on 31 August 1963. There are some differences in the definitions, classifications, and tabulations of the results in these population censuses, and hence certain problems will be encountered in our analysis of the information selected for inclusion here. The manner in which the differences emerged in the census results and how they are dealt with in our presentation will be discussed in the respective sections of this chapter.

Population Growth

In interpreting the figures in respect of population size and growth, we should be mindful of the population censuses not being conducted at a uniform time interval of ten years as practised in most countries. The holding of the third pan-Malaysia Census in 1991 has resulted in a break in the intercensal time interval: ten years for the 1970–80 period, 11 years for the 1980–91 period, and nine years for the 1991–2000 period. What this implies is that we should pay more attention to the figures for annual rate of growth rather than intercensal rate of growth presented in Table 1.1, and also in other tables when time-series data are included.

It is also necessary to explain the presentation of the figures according to geographic areas. The practice of examining some of the census results in terms of these broad geographic regions in the census reports, has been adopted in our analysis. West Malaysia, also known as Peninsula Malaysia, consists of 11 states and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur with common land boundaries and shared historical, political, and economic backgrounds. The two states of Sabah and Sarawak, collectively known as East Malaysia, are separated by the vast expanse of the South China Sea, apart from their separate history, economy and population.