Ischaemic heart disease continued to be the leading cause of death in Malaysia in 2024, according to the Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia, 2025 released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The report recorded 198,992 deaths nationwide, offering a detailed view of mortality patterns across age groups, ethnicities, and states.

The data for 2024 is the first in Malaysia to be compiled using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 11th Revision, or ICD-11, reflecting an update in how causes of death are classified and reported.

Overall Mortality Trends In Malaysia

Malaysia recorded 198,992 deaths in 2024. Of this total, 133,844 deaths were medically certified, accounting for 67.3% of all recorded deaths. This represents an increase compared with the previous year, indicating wider coverage of medically certified reporting.

The crude death rate stood at 5.8 deaths per 1,000 population, continuing a stabilisation trend following the higher rates seen during the pandemic period.

Leading Causes Of Death Nationwide

Ischaemic heart disease accounted for 17,421 deaths in 2024, representing 13.0% of medically certified deaths. It remained the principal cause of death nationwide.

Pneumonia was the second leading cause, with 15,332 deaths or 11.5%, followed by transport accidents, which accounted for 4,428 deaths or 3.3%. Other significant contributors included diabetes mellitus and cancer-related conditions.

Deaths from cancer have shown a long-term upward trend, increasing from 5,231 deaths in 2001 to 19,180 deaths in 2024.

Differences By Age Group

The principal causes of death vary across age groups. Among children aged 0 to 14 years and adults aged 60 years and above, pneumonia was the leading cause of death. For individuals aged 15 to 40 years, transport accidents were the main cause, accounting for 20.0% of deaths in this group.

For those aged 41 to 59 years, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause, contributing 17.6% of deaths. This highlights the impact of cardiovascular conditions among Malaysians in their prime working years.

Patterns Across Gender And Ethnicity

Among males, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death, accounting for 15.3%. Among females, pneumonia was the principal cause, contributing 12.4%.

By ethnicity, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death among Malays and Indians, while pneumonia was more prevalent among Chinese and Other Bumiputera populations. These differences reflect variations in health risks, demographics, and exposure across communities.

State And District Level Findings

At the state level, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of death in 13 states. Pneumonia was the principal cause in Perak, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Selangor recorded the highest number of deaths from ischaemic heart disease, followed by Johor and Kedah. At the administrative district level, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause in just over half of Malaysia’s districts, while pneumonia accounted for the largest share in many others.

How Malaysia Compares Internationally

International comparisons show that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in countries such as the United States and Australia. In contrast, cancer is the principal cause of death in countries including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Canada, and Singapore. The United Kingdom reported dementia and Alzheimer’s disease as its leading causes of death.

These comparisons place Malaysia within a broader global pattern, where non-communicable diseases account for a significant share of mortality.

What The Data Shows About Health Risks And Financial Preparedness

The latest figures highlight the continued impact of non-communicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, alongside persistent risks from transport accidents and pneumonia across different age groups.

From a personal finance perspective, these health patterns have clear implications for household financial stability. Serious illness or sudden injury can disrupt income, increase out-of-pocket medical expenses, and place pressure on savings, particularly for working-age adults and families with dependants.

The data underscores why financial buffers are so important . Emergency savings, medical coverage, and income protection arrangements exist to manage risks that may arise unexpectedly. While the report focuses on health outcomes, it provides useful context for understanding how health-related risks can translate into financial strain if households are not adequately prepared.

For consumers, the findings serve as a reminder that financial planning is not only about long-term goals, but also about resilience. Building flexibility into household finances helps manage the uncertainty reflected in population-level data such as this, especially when risks affect both health and earning capacity.

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