Malaysia's population is projected to rise to 41.5 million by 2040, up from 28.6 million in 2010, the Statistics Department says in its Projected Population Report (revised) 2010-2040.

However, it said the annual growth rate saw a downward trend from 1.8 per cent in 2010, to 0.8 per cent in 2040.

"The average annual population growth rate sees a decrease of 0.05 per cent per year," it added.

The department said the Bumiputera population had the highest projected percentage increase of 4.8 per cent, from 67.3 per cent in 2010 to 72.1 per cent in 2040.

Meanwhile, it said the sex ratio for 2010 which was 106 males for every 100 females, would increase to 108 in 2020, and remain unchanged until 2040.

It added the population could also be categorised into three main age groups, namely the young (0-14 years), working population (15-64 years) and senior citizens (65 and over).

"The median age in 2010 was 26.3 years, and it will increase to 38.3 years (2040)," it said.

Malaysia is expected to become an aging population nation in 2020 when the percentage of population aged 65 and above, reaches 7.2 per cent, added the report.

-- BERNAMA