TERENGGANU is among five states in Malaysia which have recorded a low annual population growth rate at 1.3%.

The others are Melaka, Putrajaya, Perlis and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Chief Statistician Dr Mohd Uzair Mahidin said Terengganu’s population in 2020 was 1.15 million or only three per cent of Malaysia’s total population of 32.4 million.

“Terengganu is experiencing the phenomenon of having less residents. The annual population growth rate decline is due to, among other factors, its people’s migration to other states for economic opportunities.”

“However, the Terengganu Sejahtera Master Plan 2030 (Pitas 2030) launched by the state government may bring change when more job opportunities are made available in Terengganu in the future.”

He said this after giving a briefing under the Parliamentary and State Constituency Tour Series - Main Findings of the Malaysia Census 2020, Terengganu State at Wisma Darul Iman, Kuala Terengganu, today.

Uzair said urbanisation in Terengganu rose from 59.3% in 2010 to 64.2% in 2020.

“Hence, the state government needs to give more attention to issues such as urban poverty, rising cost of living and provision of services for the people’s well-being.

“The services sector is the biggest contributor to Terengganu’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of around 53%.

“Out of the country’s total domestic tourists of 131.6 million, Terengganu received 7.4 million,” he added. – Bernama, June 22, 2022.