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Malaysia

Key statistics

256,428

people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024

138,414

people were registered as refugees in the country at the end of 2024, mostly from Myanmar

$21.8 million

are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Malaysia are sustained

Malaysia hosts over 180,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, the vast majority from Myanmar – including a large Rohingya population – with others from more than 50 countries. Most live in urban areas across Peninsular Malaysia, notably in Klang Valley, Johor, and Penang.

In the absence of a legal framework for refugee protection, UNHCR leads all aspects of registration, documentation, and status determination. The organization also works with the Government of Malaysia to strengthen the protection environment and develop a more inclusive refugee policy aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact on Refugees. 

Together with partners – including civil society, the private sector, and refugee communities – UNHCR advocates for greater self-reliance by promoting access to legal work, education, healthcare, and social protection.

Strategy and results

This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.

Strategy

Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.

Download the strategy

Indicators and targets

Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.

Download indicators and targets

Annual Results Report

Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.

Download the ARR

Population and financial overview

Malaysia

Use the year selector to access information from previous years.

Populations

Population types
Population by country
Population by origin

Financial

Budget and expenditure trend
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

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Strategy - Country

Strategy

For more information about our work in Malaysia:

Malaysia website

Find more information on our work in the area and the latest local news and stories.

Visit the Malaysia website (English)

 

Refworld

Find legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection.

Visit Refworld

 

Office contact details

The UNHCR Representative in Malaysia

Street Address:
570 Jalan Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 10185, 50706 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Phone:
+60 3 2118 4800

Fax:
+60 3 2141 1780

Email:
[email protected]

Time zone:
GMT +8

Working hours

  • Monday: 8:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday: 8:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday: 8:00 - 16:00
  • Thursday: 8:00 - 16:00
  • Friday: 8:00 - 16:00
  • Saturday: closed
  • Sunday: closed