Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Malaysia

Malaysia: Share of marine territorial waters that are protected was 4.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
4.8%
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
66th
of 174 countries
All-time high
5.6%
in 2021
All-time low
1.4%
in 2013
Years of data
13
2013–2025

Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Malaysia, 2013–2025

1234562013201920252013: 1.4 % of territorial waters2014: 1.4 % of territorial waters2015: 1.4 % of territorial waters2016: 1.4 % of territorial waters2017: 1.4 % of territorial waters2018: 1.5 % of territorial waters2019: 1.5 % of territorial waters2020: 3.3 % of territorial waters2021: 5.6 % of territorial waters2022: 5.6 % of territorial waters2023: 5.6 % of territorial waters2024: 4.8 % of territorial waters2025: 4.8 % of territorial waters

Source: Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of territorial waters.

Analysis

Malaysia recorded 4.8% for share of marine territorial waters that are protected in 2025.

The figure is up 242.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Malaysia peaked at 5.6% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 2013.

Malaysia ranks 66th of 174 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 1.4% 1.4% 1.5% 7
2020s 5.0% 3.3% 5.6% 6

Countries ranked near Malaysia

  1. 64 Thailand 5.0% compare
  2. 65 Honduras 4.9% compare
  3. 66 China 4.8% compare
  4. 68 Greece 4.7% compare
  5. 69 Saint Kitts and Nevis 4.5% compare

See the full ranking of 174 places →

More reference data data for Malaysia

All data for Malaysia →

Frequently asked questions

What is share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Malaysia?
Share of marine territorial waters that are protected in Malaysia was 4.8% in 2025, according to Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Malaysia?
The highest recorded value was 5.6% in 2021.
What is the lowest share of marine territorial waters that are protected recorded in Malaysia?
The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 2013.
How does Malaysia rank for share of marine territorial waters that are protected?
Malaysia ranks 66th out of 174 countries with data for 2025.
Is share of marine territorial waters that are protected rising or falling in Malaysia?
Over the last ten years it is up 242.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malaysia data come from?
The figures come from Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of marine territorial waters that are protected. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 13 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Share of marine territorial waters that are protected
Unit
% of territorial waters
Source
Protected Planet WDPA and WD-OECM data, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
174 places, 2,223 data points, 2013–2025
Last refreshed

Marine protected areas are regions of intertidal or sub-tidal land and associated water, flora and fauna, and cultural and historical features that have been legally or effectively reserved for protection.