1.

Demographic Profile
1.1 General

This section provides an analysis of the current demographic profile and changes of the study area over
the past three decades between 1991 to 2020, against the overall figures for Sarawak over the same
periods. This would enable the planners a better understanding of the dynamics of the population sector
in the study area. The trend analysis also provides the basis for estimating the future population of the
study area up to 2030.

While the demographic data from 1991 to 2010 are derived from the Population and Housing Census
Reports by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia (DOSM) of the respective years, the official figures for
the 2020 Census have not been officially published yet. The data for 2020 are derived from the DOS’s
estimated figures for the same year.

The subjects that are covered in this section include total population, racial breakdown, age groups,
gender, household size and population density. The projected population growth of the study area as
envisaged in the Sarawak Land Use Master Plan Study is also included to give an indication of a likely
growth scenario of the study area – this will be further reviewed in the later stage of the study when the
socio-economic proposals are formulated, which will have an impact on the growth rate.

1.2 Population Growth

Over the Census periods from 1991 to 2010, Malaysia as a whole has recorded a decline in the average
growth rate of population according to DOSM, and this trend is attributable to the slowdown of fertility
rate. Sarawak’s population growth also reflects similar trend over the periods, from 2.24% between
1991 and 2000, to 1.86% between 2000 and 2010, and 1.64% between 2010 and 2020 – see Table 1.

However, for Samarahan Division, the population trend is different from the State’s as there was a high
growth rate recorded between 2000 and 2010. The Division’s share of the Sarawak’s population also
indicates a gradual increase from 5.39% in 1991 to 6.45% in 2020. See Table 2 and Fig.1.

In 2020, Samarahan District’s share of the Division’s population was about 55%, while Simunjan and
Asajaya Districts held 25% and 20% respectively.

Table 1: Population Growth of Study Area and Sarawak

1991 2000 2010 2020 AAGR AAGR AAGR

1991- 2000- 2010-
2000 2010 2020
Sarawak 1,718,380 2,071,506 2,471,140 2,907,500 2.24 1.86 1.64
Samarahan Division 92,689 112,766 159,023 187,500 2 3.4 1.65
Samarahan District 33,173 46,966 87,923 102,700 3.86 6.08 1.56
Simunjan District 35,136 37,287 39,226 46,900 0.66 0.3 1.8
Asajaya District 24,380 28,513 31,874 37,900 1.74 0.94 1.7
 Source : DOSM

Table 2 : Study Area’s Share of Sarawak Population, 1991 - 2020

1991 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020 %

Samarahan Division 92,689 5.39 112,766 5.44 159,023 6.43 187,500 6.45
Sarawak 1,718,380 100 2,071,506 100 2,471,140 100 2,907,500 100
Source : DOSM

Figure 1 : Study Area’s Share of Sarawak Population, 1991 - 2020

3500000

3000000

2500000

2000000
Sarawak
1500000 Samarahan Division

1000000

500000

0
1991 2000 2010 2020

As indicated in Table 1, there was an increase in the average annual growth rate in Samarahan Division
between 2000 and 2010, from 2% between 1991 and 2000 to 3.4% between 2000 and 2010.
Nonetheless, the high growth rate is depicted only in Samarahan District as the other two districts
namely Asajaya and Simunjan Districts recorded minimal changes.

The phenomenal high growth rate in Samarahan District is attributed to two factors, firstly, the increase
in student population of the two universities, UNIMAS and Universiti Teknoloji Mara , the establishment
of the Heart Centre and other government establishments. Secondly, the decade has seen a rapid
growth of new housing development in the District especially along the main road corridors of Jalan
Muara Tuang and Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, attracting vast number of suburbanites to live in the
District.

However, according to DOSM’s population estimates for 2020, the decade between 2010 and 2020 has
shown a stabilisation of the growth rate in Samarahan District in line with the State’s growth rate. But
there was an increase in the growth rate for both Simunjan and Asajaya Districts recording 1.8% and
 1.7% respectively. This is probably attributable to the increase in agricultural activities particularly the
opening up of oil palm plantation, which had attracted an increase number of workers in the districts.

Figure 2: Population Distribution of Study Area, 1991-2020

200000
180000
160000
140000
120000
Asajaya District
100000 Simunjan District
80000 Samarahan District

60000
40000
20000
0
1991 2000 2010 2020

1.3 Ethnic Composition

The changes in the ethnic composition of the Study Area and Sarawak as a whole from 2000 to 2020 are
indicated in Tables 3, 4 and 5.

While the composition in Sarawak over the three decades has remained fairly constant, with the total
Bumiputra groups constituting around 71%, the changes in the Study Area are more distinct. In
Samarahan Division as a whole, the total Bumiputra population share increase from around 72% in 2000
to 85.5% in 2020. The non-Malaysian population has also seen a marked increase in the State as well as
the Division from 2000 to 2020.

Table 3: Population of Study Area and Sarawak by Ethnic Groups, 2000

Total Total Bumiputra Malay Iban Bidayuh Melanau Other Chinese Others Non-
Bumiputra Malaysian
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Sarawak 2,071. 1463.4 70.6 462.3 22.3 604 29.1 166. 8.05 112. 5.4 117.7 5.6 537. 25.9 8.1 0.3 62.7 3.03
5 4 2 4 7 9 5 8 2 3 9
Samaraha 141.5 101.8 71.9 70.2 49.6 26.6 18.8 3.5 2.47 0.7 0.4 0.8 0.5 12.7 8.95 0.2 0.1 0.9 0.61
n Division 4 1 0 7 3 7
Samaraha 48.0 39.0 56.4 27.2 56.6 7.5 15.6 3.1 6.46 0.5 1.0 0.6 1.2 8.7 18.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.42
n District 3 7 3 4 5 3 8
Simunjan 64.5 36.4 56.4 19.3 29.9 16.7 25.8 0.3 0.47 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 1.5 2.28 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.93
District 3 2 9 1 8 6
Asajaya 29.0 26.4 91.0 23.7 81.7 2.4 8.28 0.1 0.34 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 2.5 8.62 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.24
District 3 2 4 4 2

Table 4 : Population of Study Area and Sarawak by Ethnic Groups, 2010

Total Total Malay Iban Bidayuh Melanau Other Chinese Others Non-
Bumiputra Bumiputra Malaysian
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Sarawak 2,471.1 1,759. 71.22 568.1 22.99 713.4 28.87 198. 8.03 123.4 4.99 156.4 6.33 577.6 23.37 16.5 0.67 117.1 4.74
9 5
Samarahan 159.0 136.0 85.53 89.6 56.35 36.4 22.89 6.5 4.09 0.9 0.54 2.5 1.54 20.1 12.64 0.9 0.54 2.0 1.26
Division
Samarahan 87.9 69.6 79.18 42.1 47.90 18.7 21.27 5.9 6.71 0.7 0.80 2.2 2.50 16.8 19.11 0.7 0.80 0.7 0.80
District
Simunjan 39.2 36.8 93.88 20.9 53.32 15.1 38.52 0.4 1.02 0.1 0.23 0.2 0.51 1.2 3.06 0.1 0.32 1.1 2.81
District
Asajaya 31.9 29.6 92.79 26.6 83.39 2.6 8.15 0.2 0.63 0.1 0.22 0.1 0.16 2.1 6.58 0.0 0.13 0.2 0.63
District

Table 5 : Population of Study Area and Sarawak by Ethnic Groups, 2020

Total Total Malay Iban Bidayuh Melanau Other Chinese Others Non-
Bumiputra Bumiputra Malaysian
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
Sarawak 2,907. 2,068. 71.15 671.1 23.0 833.6 28.67 226.0 7.77 149.4 5.14 188.7 6.49 640.2 22.02 17.5 0.60 181.1 6.23
5 8 8
Samarahan 187.5 160.4 85.55 106.2 56.6 42.7 22.77 11.0 5.87 1.1 0.59 3.1 1.65 22.4 11.95 1.0 0.53 3.6 1.92
Division 4
Samarahan 102.7 81.9 79.75 49.8 48.4 21.9 21.32 6.8 6.62 0.9 0.88 2.6 2.53 18.7 18.21 0.8 0.78 1.3 1.27
District 9
Simunjan 46.9 43.4 92.54 24.8 52.8 17.7 37.74 4.0 8.53 0.1 0.21 0.4 0.85 1.4 2.99 0.1 0.21 1.9 4.05
District 8
Asajaya 37.9 35.1 92.61 31.6 83.3 3.1 8.18 0.2 0.53 0.1 0.26 0.1 0.26 2.3 6.07 0.1 0.26 0.4 1.06
District 8

Fig. 3 : Ethnic Composition, Samarahan Division, 2000

 Samarahan Division, 2000
Malay
Iban
Bidayuh
Melanau
Other Bumiputra
Chinese
Others
Non-Malaysian

Fig. 4 : Ethnic Composition, Samarahan Division, 2010

Samarahan Division, 2010

Malay
Iban
Bidayuh
Melanau
Other
Bumiputra
Chinese
Others
Non-Malaysian

Fig. 5 : Ethnic Composition, Samarahan Division, 2020

 Samarahan Division, 2020
Malay
Iban
Bidayuh
Melanau
Other Bumiputra
Chinese
Others
Non-Malaysian

1.4 Age Group Distribution

The age group distribution of the population of Sarawak from 1991 to 2020 is given in Table 6 and Fig. 6.
Generally, there is a decline of the percentage of the 0-14 age-group in the past three decades, and
increase in the 15-64 age group and those 65 and above.

While the increase in percentage of economically active group of 15-64 means that the State has a
growing workforce which is favourable in terms of economic growth; however, the increase in the 65
and above group indicates an increase in dependency ratio. This indicates the need for extension of the
State’s institutions such as welfare and healthcare to cater for the needs of the elderly. This would be
reflected in the Master Plan of Samarahan 2030, where the essential facilities would be adequately
provided and distributed over the Study Area for the convenience of the communities.

Table 6 : Population by Age Group, Sarawak, 1991 - 2020

 Age Group 1991 2000 2010 2020
No. % No. % No. % No. %
0-4 223.3 13.0 265.6 12.8 216.3 8.8 187.1 6.6
5 -9 210.1 12.2 231.5 11.2 250.6 10.1 205.5 7.3
10 - 14 192.0 11.2 213.0 10.3 245.5 9.9 228.9 8.1
15 - 19 180.3 10.5 196.9 9.5 250.5 10.1 260.2 9.2
20 - 24 166.6 9.7 176.7 8.5 233.2 9.4 278.0 9.9
25 - 29 156.4 9.1 173 8.4 207.2 8.4 286.5 10.2
30 - 34 129.6 7.5 164.2 7.9 168.2 6.8 231.2 8.2
35 - 39 110.4 6.4 147.9 7.1 169.9 6.9 199.3 7.1
40 - 44 82.2 4.8 127.1 6.1 160.2 6.5 161.4 5.7
45 - 49 68.3 4.0 102.7 5.0 143.4 5.8 159.5 5.7
50 - 54 52.2 3.0 79.9 3.9 119.0 4.8 150.8 5.4
55 - 59 43.3 2.5 59.5 2.9 96.0 3.9 134.7 4.8
60 - 64 36.1 2.1 44.7 2.2 72.7 2.9 109.1 3.9
65 - 69 25.4 1.5 34.6 1.7 53.5 2.2 84.5 3.0
70 - 74 20.3 1.2 25.3 1.2 34.7 1.4 59.6 2.1
75+ 21.6 1.3 28.9 1.4 50.2 2.0 80.2 2.8
TOTAL 1,718.40 100.0 2,071.50 100.0 2,471.10 100.0 2,816.50 100.0
Source : DOSM

Fig. 6 : Distribution of Population by Age Group, Sarawak, 1991 - 2020

350

300

250

200
1991
150 2000
2010
100 2020
50

0
4 9 4 9 4 9 4 9 4 9 4 9 4 9 4 +
0- 5 - - 1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 - 6 - 6 - 7 75
10 1 5 2 0 25 30 3 5 4 0 45 50 5 5 60 65 7 0

1.5 Composition of Population by Gender

In Sarawak, the number of male over female population has increased slightly in proportion between
2000 and 2020 as shown in Table 7 and Figure 7. The trend is also similar in Samarahan Division.
Nevertheless, this will not likely create any significant impact on the social structure and economy of the
Study Area.

Table. 7 : Population by Gender Composition, Study Area, 2000 - 2020

y Gender, Study Area, 2000 - 2020

2000 2010 2020

Total Male Female Tota Male Female Total Male Female

No. % No. % l No. % No. % No. % No. %
Sarawak 2009 1018 50.7 991 49.3 2471 1271 51.4 1198 48.6 2907 1514 52.1 1393 47.9
Samaraha 112.7 56.9 50.5 55.7 49.5 159 79.8 50.2 79.2 49.8 187. 95 50.7 92.5 49.3
n Division 5
Samaraha 46.9 23.6 50.3 23.3 49.7 87.9 43.5 49.5 44.4 50.5 102. 51.2 49.9 51.5 50.1
n District 7
Simunjan 37.3 18.8 50.4 18.4 49.6 39.2 20.1 51.3 19.1 48.7 46.9 24.4 52.0 22.5 48.0
District
Asajaya 28.5 14.5 50.9 14 49.1 31.9 16.2 50.8 15.7 49.2 37.9 19.4 51.2 18.5 48.8
District
Source : DOSM

Fig. 7 : Population by Gender Composition, Study Area, 2000 - 2020

100.00

80.00

60.00
Female
Male
40.00

20.00

0.00

Source : DOSM

1.6 Population Density

The change in population density of the three districts in the Study Area from 1991 to 2020 is indicated
in Table 8.
The population density of Samarahan Division doubled between 1991 and 2020, which is slightly higher
than the State’s density which grew by 1.7 times. However, at the district level, Samarahan District’s
density grew by 3 times as compared with 1.3 times for Simunjan District and Asajaya District which
records 1.6 times.

This signifies that Samarahan District’s rapid development especially in the housing sector since 2000
has attracted a very high migration of people to live in the district. While Asajaya District’s growth of
population density is consistent with the State’s, Simujan District’s density growth was lower than the
State’s increase. This is attributable to the fact that there are no significant activities in the district and
Simunjan town and the other settlements have remained relatively stagnant in growth. Even though,
the agriculture sector has grown significantly, the expansion is mostly in the oil palm plantations where
the employment per hectare of land is relatively low.

Table 8 : Population Density, Study Area, 1991 - 2020

Area 1991 2000 2010 2020

(sq km) Population Density Population Density Population Density Population Density
Samarahan 407.1 33,173 81.5 47,201 115.9 86,275 211.9 102,700 252.3
District
Simunjan 2217.6 35,136 15.8 37,561 16.9 38,426 17.3 46,900 21.1
District
Asajaya District 302.8 24,380 80.5 28,540 94.3 31,318 103.4 37,900 125.2
Samarahan 4967.4 92,689 18.7 113,302 22.8 156,019 31.4 187,500 37.7
Division
Sarawak 124,449.50 1,642,771 13.2 2,009,893 16.2 2,420,009 19.4 2,806,000 22.5
Source : DOSM

Fig. 8 : Population Density, Study Area, 1991 – 2020

 300.0

250.0

200.0

150.0
1991 Density
100.0 2000 Density
2010 Density
50.0
2020 Density
0.0
ict ict ict n
wa
k
i str i str istr v isio a
r
n
D D aD Di Sa
ha jan ja ay an
ar
a un ah
m Sim As ar
Sa m
Sa

Source : DOSM

1.7 Household and Living Quarters

The household size of Samarahan Division in 2010 according to the Housing and Population Census,
2010, was 4.9 persons per household, which is higher than the State’s average of 4.6. At the district
level, Samarahan District had the highest number of persons per household at 5.3, followed by Asajaya
District at 4.9 and Simunjan District at 4.6. See Table 9.

However, in terms of number of living quarters available, Samarahan District had the highest number
with a ratio of 1.5 living quarters to a household, while the Division, there were 1.2 living quarters to
one household, which is also compatible with the other districts and Sarawak as a whole. This does not
necessarily mean that there is a surplus of the housing stock in Samarahan District, as living quarters
include rented rooms, shared living accommodations and the like. The number of existing and projected
housing requirements are covered in other sections of the Report.

Table 9 : Number of Household & Living Quarters, Study Area, 2010

 Population No. Of No. Of No. Of No. Of No. Of
Living Households Persons/HH LQ/HH HH/LQ
Quarters
Samarahan District 87,923 24,512 16,622 5.3 1.5 0.7
Simunjan District 39,266 9,222 8,563 4.6 1.1 0.9
Asajaya District 31,874 6,653 6,376 5.0 1.0 1.0
Samarahan 250,622 60,844 51,066 4.9 1.2 0.8
Division
Sarawak 2,471,140 594,960 540,990 4.6 1.1 0.9
Source : DOSM

In Malaysia as a whole, the average household size has been declining from 1980 to 2019 as indicated in
Table 10. The reason for the decline could be related to one or several factors such as increased divorce,
declining fertility and mortality, and changing lifestyles of the people. For the Study Area and Sarawak as
a whole, this trend is likely to be generally applicable. As such planning has to take this into
consideration in terms of types and level of facilities to be provided over the planning period to 2030.

Table 10 : Malaysia Household Size, 1980 - 2019

Year 1980 1991 2000 2010 2016 2017 2018 2019

Househol 5.2 4.9 4.6 4.3 4.1 4.06 4.03 4.0
d Size
Source : Khazanah Research Institute; Statistica, 2021

1.8 Future Population Scenario

The population projection for the Study Area and Sarawak for 2030 from the Sarawak Land Use Master
Plan Study Report, is shown in Table 11. The Study forecasts a decline of the population growth rate for
Sarawak as well as for the Study Area in the next decade. By 2030, the Study forecasts that Samarahan
Division population will reach 213,000 and 55% of the population will reside in Samarahan District.

The projection for the Study Area will however be further reviewed in the light of the economic growth
scenario that will be finalised in the subsequent stage of the Study.

Table 11 : Population Forecast, Study Area, 2000 - 2020

 2000 2010 2020 2030 CAGR CAGR CAGR
2000-2010 2010-2020 2025-2030
Sarawak 2,071,506 2,471,140 2,907,500 3,307,000 1.86 1.64 1.3
Samarahan 112,766 159,023 187,500 213,000 3.4 1.65 1.26
Division
Samarahan 46,966 87,923 102,700 117,000 6.08 1.56 1.25
District
Simunjan 37,287 39,226 46,900 53,000 0.3 1.8 1.2
District
Asajaya 28,513 31,874 37,900 43,000 0.94 1.7 1.46
District
Source : Sarawak Land Use Master Plan Study

1.8 Summary of Findings

The demographic profile of the Study Area is summarised as follows:

 The Study Area’s average annual growth rates from 1991 to 2020 are consistent with the State’s
growth rate except for the period between 2000-2010, when Samarahan District recorded a
much higher growth.
 Samarahan Division’s share of Sarawak’s population shows an increase from 1991 to 2020.
Samarahan District has the highest share of the Division’s population at 55% in 2020, and
Simunjan District at 25% and Asajaya District at 20%.
 In Samarahan Division as a whole, the total Bumiputra population share increase from around
72% in 2000 to 85.5% in 2020, while Sarawak’s share was around 71% over the period.
 The non-Malaysian population has also seen a marked increase in the State as well as the
Division from 2000 to 2020.
 The age group distribution of the population of Sarawak from 1991 to 2020 indicates that there
is a decline of the percentage of the 0-14 age-group in the past three decades, and increase in
the 15-64 age group and those 65 and above.
 The number of male over female population of Samarahan Division has increased slightly in
proportion between 2000 and 2020.
 The population density of Samarahan Division doubled between 1991 and 2020, which is slightly
higher than the State’s density. Samarahan District’s density grew by 3 times as compared with
Simunjan District and Asajaya District which record 1.3 times and 1.6 times increase
respectively.
 The household size of Samarahan Division in 2010 was 4.9 persons per household, which is
higher than the State’s average of 4.6. Samarahan District had the highest household size at 5.3,
followed by Asajaya District at 4.9 and Simunjan District at 4.6. The national trend indicates a
gradual decrease in household size since 1980.
 The Sarawak Land Use Master Plan Study projected that by 2030, Samarahan Division
population will reach 213,000 and 55% of the population will reside in Samarahan District.
Chinese School In Samarahan Division