WHEN Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya merged to form Malaysia, Sabah contributed about a third of the land mass. It was reported that the population of Sabah in 1947 was 320,500 and in 2000 it was 2,449,389. The average national growth rate is about 3.2%.
In Sabah, there are spikes in the population growth rate that merit attention. These growth rates which were of interest are 1971 – 1975 (6.3%), 1976 – 1980 (4.4%), 1980 – 1991 (5.69%), 1986 – 1988 (3.4%), 1988 – 1995 (3.4%) and 1991 – 1995 (5.5%).
It is interesting to analyst the “breeding” pattern of Sabahans. During the USNO era (1963 – 1975) there was sudden surged in breeding activity especially between 1971-1975. The growth rate then was reported a staggering 6.3%. It was during this time there was an arm conflict in the southern Philippines. The influx of refugees into Sabah may be the reason behind the sharp upward spike.
The Berjaya era came from 1976 – 1985. Again there was a surge in population growth, above 4%. The conflict in southern Philippines continued and more refugees streamed into Sabah.
The PBS era came from 1985 – 1995 and the growth rate was about 3.4%. However, in 1991-1995, the growth rate was registered at 5.5%. During this period there was no more arm conflict in the southern Philippines. 
However, there was a huge increase in the number of Indonesians working in the oil palm plantations. This could be the reason for the sudden increase in population of Sabah.
In 1931 Sarawak population was about 600,000 and in 2000, there are about 2 millions Sarawakians. Sabah started with 270,233 (1931) and shot up to 2.4 millions in 2000. In 2003, Sabah’s population stood at about 2.8 millions an increase of about 400,000 within three years!
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