In 2000, the Orang Asli constited only 0.5 percent of the total population of Malaysia. Their population is approximately 148,000. The largest group are the Senois, constituting about 54 percent of the total Orang Asli population. The Proto-Malays form 43 percent and the Negritos forming three percent. Thailand is home to roughly 600 Orang Asli divided between Mani people holding Thai citizenship and some 300 others in the deep south.
The poverty rate among Orang Asli is 76.9 percent. In addition to thish high rate, the Statistics Department of Malaysia has classified 35.2 percent of the population as being "very poor". The majority of Orang Asli live in rural areas, while a minority have moved into urban areas. In 1991, the literacy rate for the Orang Asli was 43 percent compared to the national rate of 86 percent at that time. They have an average life expectancy of 53 years (52 for male and 54 for female). A high infant mortality rate is also evident with 51.7 deaths per 1000 births.
The Malaysian Government has undertaken various serious measures to eradicate the poverty level among the Orang Asli. Many of them have been relocated from their nomadic and semi-nomadic dwelling to a permanent housing estate under the relocation program initiated by the government. These settlements are equipped with modern amenities including electricity, running water and school. They were also awarded plots of palm oil land to be cultivated and as a source of income. Other programs initiated by the government includes various special scholarship for the Orang Asli children for their studies and entrepreneurship courses, training and monetary funds for Orang Asli adult. The Malaysian Government aims to increase the monthly household income for Orang Asli from RM 1,200.00 per month in 2010 to RM 2,500.00 by year 2015.
