Leading Causes of Death in Malaysia: 2024 Statistics
What Malaysians die of, how the causes change with age and sex, and which states record the most heart disease deaths. Every figure links to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Key Statistics: Causes of Death in Malaysia
The headline figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), for deaths in 2024.
deaths recorded in Malaysia in 2024
were medically certified, up from 60.7%
deaths from ischaemic heart disease, the leading cause
of medically certified deaths were from heart disease, about 1 in 8
deaths from pneumonia, the second cause
deaths from diabetes mellitus
deaths of Malaysians aged 15 to 40 were transport accidents
heart disease deaths in Selangor, the most of any state
What Is the Leading Cause of Death in Malaysia?
Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in Malaysia in 2024, with 17,421 deaths, or 13.0% of medically certified deaths. Pneumonia was second with 15,332 deaths (11.5%), followed by diabetes mellitus (6,929; 5.2%) and transport accidents (4,428; 3.3%) (DOSM).
Cancers, counted as a group rather than a single cause, accounted for 19,180 deaths, led by cancers of the digestive organs (5,825) and the respiratory organs (2,987).
| Cause | Share of certified deaths | Deaths, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Ischaemic heart disease | 13.0% | 17,421 |
| Pneumonia | 11.5% | 15,332 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 5.2% | 6,929 |
| Transport accidents | 3.3% | 4,428 |
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025, released 18 December 2025 (DOSM). Shares are of the 133,844 medically certified deaths.
How Many People Die in Malaysia Each Year?
Malaysia recorded 198,992 deaths in 2024, of which 133,844 (67.3%) were medically certified, up from 60.7% (119,652) in 2023 (DOSM via NST). The 2024 figures are the first in Malaysia compiled using the ICD-11 international classification (DOSM).
How Do Causes of Death Change With Age?
Transport accidents are the leading cause of death for Malaysians aged 15 to 40, accounting for 2,547 deaths, or 20.0%, about 1 in 5. Heart disease leads for ages 41 to 59, and pneumonia leads for both children and those aged 60 and over (DOSM).
| Age group | Leading cause | Deaths (share) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 | Pneumonia | 244 (5.6%) |
| 15 to 40 | Transport accidents | 2,547 (20.0%) |
| 41 to 59 | Ischaemic heart disease | 5,380 (17.6%) |
| 60 and over | Pneumonia | 11,989 (13.9%) |
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025 (DOSM).
What Are the Leading Causes of Death for Men and Women?
For men, ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause, with 12,112 deaths (15.3%). For women, it is pneumonia, with 6,776 deaths (12.4%) (DOSM).
Which States Have the Most Heart Disease Deaths?
Selangor recorded the most ischaemic heart disease deaths in 2024 with 3,038, followed by Johor (2,620) and Kedah (2,349). Heart disease was the principal cause of death in thirteen states (DOSM). These are counts, not rates, so states with larger populations record more deaths.
Recovery and Care After Serious Illness
Heart disease and diabetes are long-term conditions, and many patients need support after hospital: supervised rehabilitation after a heart or lung operation, help with wound care, or nursing at home for an elderly parent.
These guides and providers cover what that support involves in the Klang Valley and Perak.
Sources and How to Cite This Page
All figures come from the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025, which covers deaths in 2024 and was released on 18 December 2025. Shares are of medically certified deaths. The next edition is scheduled for 29 October 2026 and this page will be updated then.
Cite this page: Service Pro, “Leading Causes of Death in Malaysia: 2024 Statistics”, https://servicepro.my/healthcare-insights/causes-of-death-malaysia-statistics/. Journalists and bloggers are welcome to use these figures, tables and charts with a link to this page.
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