More than 57,000 Malaysian citizens have renounced their nationality to become citizens of Singapore over the past five years. This figure makes Singapore the primary and almost exclusive destination for Malaysians who choose to change their citizenship, a demographic phenomenon rarely seen on such a scale in Southeast Asia.
Official data from Malaysia’s National Registration Department show that during the five-year period up to December 17, 2025, a total of 61,116 Malaysians formally applied to renounce their citizenship.
Of this number, approximately 93.78 percent—more than 57,300 people—chose Singapore as their destination country. Malaysian media outlets such as Harian Metro and New Straits Times reported that these figures place Singapore far ahead of all other countries as the naturalization destination of choice for Malaysians.
Demographic Profile: Working-Age Population Dominate
A closer look at the data reveals that the trend is dominated by people of working age. The largest group comes from those aged 31 to 40, totaling 19,287 individuals, or roughly one-third of all applicants. This is followed by the 21–30 age group with 18,827 people, while those aged 41–50 account for 14,126 applicants. Applicants aged over 50 number 8,876.
In terms of gender, women make up the larger share. A total of 35,356 Malaysian women renounced their citizenship during the period, making them the majority of all applicants.
On average, around 10,000 Malaysians apply to give up their citizenship each year, according to Badrul Hisham Alias, Director General of the National Registration Department, as cited by local media.
Constitutionally, Malaysia does not recognize dual citizenship. Singapore applies a similar policy, requiring individuals to choose a single nationality upon reaching adulthood. As a result, the decision to change citizenship is permanent and strategic in nature, rather than a mere administrative formality.
Economic and Family Factors as Key Drivers
Malaysia’s Director General of the National Registration Department, Badrul Hisham Alias, stated that economic and family considerations are the primary reasons Malaysians choose to renounce their citizenship.
“The factors that cause them to abandon their citizenship are known to be either economic- or family-based,” he said, as quoted by Harian Metro.
He added that many Malaysians working in Singapore are able to obtain citizenship due to employment opportunities and higher income levels.
Beyond economic considerations, cross-border marriages have also prompted some Malaysians to give up their citizenship in order to settle permanently with foreign spouses and gain full civil rights, including voting rights, given that Malaysia does not recognize dual citizenship.
A separate report cited by The Star noted that over a longer period—from 2015 to mid-2025—more than 97,000 Malaysians renounced their citizenship to become Singaporean citizens.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s population report released in 2025 showed that nearly two-thirds of newly naturalized Singapore citizens originate from Southeast Asia.
