Malaysia

Languages:

Malaysia, a Southeast Asian nation, has Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) as its official language, spoken by the majority of the population. The country is linguistically diverse, with numerous indigenous languages spoken by various ethnic communities. Some of the most widely spoken languages include Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, and Hakka), Tamil, and Iban. The linguistic landscape of Malaysia also includes other Austronesian, Austroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan languages, reflecting the nation's diverse cultural heritage. English is widely spoken and serves as an important second language in business, education, and administration.

Religion:

Religion in Malaysia is diverse, with the constitution recognizing Islam as the official religion of the federation yet also promising freedom of religion. The majority of the population adheres to Islam (61.3%), predominantly of the Sunni tradition. Other significant religious communities include Buddhists (19.8%), Christians (9.2%), and Hindus (6.3%). The remaining portion of the population, approximately 3.4%, includes adherents of traditional Chinese religions, Sikhism, and other faiths, as well as those with no specific religious affiliation.

Ethnic Groups:

Bumiputera 62% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 10.3% (2017 est.)