This statistic shows the ten biggest cities in Malaysia in 2020. In 2020, approximately 8.09 million people lived in Kuala Lumpur, making it the biggest city in Malaysia.

Population in largest city in Malaysia was reported at 8815630 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Malaysia Population in Largest City data was reported at 7,318,545.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,081,137.000 Person for 2016. Malaysia Population in Largest City data is updated yearly, averaging 1,870,358.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,318,545.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 343,527.000 Person in 1960. Malaysia Population in Largest City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; ;

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in Malaysia was reported at 31.3 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Malaysia Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 30.673 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.338 % for 2016. Malaysia Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 22.248 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.673 % in 2017 and a record low of 12.484 % in 1970. Malaysia Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Branches in 3 Largest Cities, Excluding Headquarters, for Commercial Banks for Malaysia (MYSFCBODCLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about branches, Malaysia, banks, and depository institutions.

This statistic shows the degree of urbanization in Malaysia from 2013 to 2023. Urbanization means the share of urban population in the total population of a country. In 2023, 78.72 percent of Malaysia's total population lived in urban areas and cities. Urban areas in Malaysia Malaysia is currently one of the most urbanized countries of East Asia, and also one of the most rapidly urbanized regions around the world; over the last ten years, the urban population in Malaysia has increased from around 66 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2014. This growth is expected to continue, as people from rural areas migrate to urban areas due to the economy and employment continuing to shift from agriculture to industry and services. At present, the largest city in terms of population is Kuala Lumpur, which is home to around 1.31 million inhabitants - which is still relatively small, considering that the entire population of Malaysia amounts to around 31 million. Malaysia is also home to a number of smaller urban areas, and there are three other urban areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants. Urban areas in Malaysia, notably Kuala Lumpur, are less dense than is common for urban areas in East Asia. This means that dealing with and limiting sprawl will be a challenge. As the urban transformation continues, there is still a chance to find a balance between urban and rural settlements in an equitable, compact and sustainable manner.

As of July 2024, 70.4 percent of the Malaysian population were classified as Bumiputera, 22.4 percent were classified as ethnic Chinese, and 6.5 percent as ethnic Indians. Those who do not fall under these three main ethnic groups are classified as ‘Other’. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society with three main ethnicities and language groups. Who are Malaysia’s Bumiputera? Bumiputera, meaning sons of the soil, is a term used to categorize the Malays, as well as the indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia, also known as orang asli, and the indigenous peoples of Sabah and Sarawak. As of July 2023, the Bumiputera share of the population in Sabah was 89 percent, while that in Sarawak was 76.1 percent. Thus, the incorporation of the states of Sabah and Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia ensured that the ethnic Malays were able to maintain a majority share of the Malaysian population. Bumiputera privileges and ethnic-based politics The rights and privileges of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak are enshrined in Article 153 of Malaysia’s constitution. This translated, in practice, to a policy of affirmative action to improve the economic situation of this particular group, through the New Economic Policy introduced in 1971. 50 years on, it is questionable whether the policy has achieved its aim. Bumiputeras still lag behind the other ethnic two major groups in terms of monthly household income. However, re-thinking this policy will certainly be met by opposition from those who have benefitted from it.

As of July 2024, the population of Selangor was estimated at approximately 7.4 million. Selangor is Malaysia's most populous state, as well as the state with the largest economy in terms of gross domestic product. The Golden Peninsula Malaysia is comprised of 13 states and three Wilayah Persekutuan (WP) or federal territories, which include Labuan, an offshore financial center on the east; the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur; and the administrative center, Putrajaya - both on the west. The aforementioned two federal territories on the west are enclaves within Selangor. In addition to that and the many points of interest it has to offer, Selangor is Malaysia’s most visited state among domestic tourists. Darul Ehsan – The Abode of Sincerity Selangor is a sultanate, ruled by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah since 2001. Located on the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula, the state hosts the country’s two main transportation hubs: Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Port Klang, the country’s largest port.The state is also Malaysia’s largest economy, which contributes a big part to Malaysia’s overall GDP per capita. With the prime location, good infrastructure, and two federal territories within, Selangor will continue to attract more people for work, travel, or more.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Kingdom data was reported at 79.100 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 83.600 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Kingdom data is updated yearly, averaging 82.200 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 97.100 % in 2013 and a record low of 41.900 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Kingdom data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

In 2023, the urban population in Malaysia reached approximately 27.65 million people. In the last decade, the urban population in Malaysia has increased by more than five million people, indicating an upward trend in urbanization. Rapid urbanization In 2023, approximately 78 percent of Malaysia’s population lived in urban areas and cities. This puts Malaysia as one of Southeast Asia’s most urbanized countries. The metropolitan area of Greater Kuala Lumpur had a population of more than eight million in that year, making it Malaysia’s biggest urban area. However, about twice as many Malaysians lived in cities with half a million inhabitants or less. Urban-rural divide For many Malaysians, urbanization brought about more and better economic opportunities and job prospects. The average monthly income for urban households was more than 3,000 Malaysian ringgit higher than that of rural households. Poverty rates in rural areas were also significantly higher than that in urban areas. Even so, the countryside still holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of Malaysians, encapsulated in the romanticized idea of the ‘kampung’ or Malay village.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: France data was reported at 91.600 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 81.800 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: France data is updated yearly, averaging 85.900 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.100 % in 2013 and a record low of 29.000 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: France data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

As of the first half of 2024, Selangor, the largest state in Malaysia, had the highest number of shopping centers with 89 buildings. This was followed by Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, where Malaysia's capital city is located, with 77 shopping centers.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United States data was reported at 93.200 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 83.200 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United States data is updated yearly, averaging 79.700 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 93.500 % in 2013 and a record low of 44.800 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United States data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: New Zealand data was reported at 92.200 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 82.600 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: New Zealand data is updated yearly, averaging 87.000 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 95.600 % in 2013 and a record low of 45.100 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: New Zealand data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Taiwan data was reported at 97.000 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 88.900 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Taiwan data is updated yearly, averaging 89.500 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 97.800 % in 2007 and a record low of 72.500 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Taiwan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

In 2024, the population density of Singapore was 8,207 people per square kilometers. The population of Singapore had been increasing over the years within a very limited space, posing challenges such as housing shortages and land scarcity. Limited land, expanding population With an urban population of around 5.69 million people in 2020 and a land area of approximately 720 square kilometers, Singapore was the third most densely populated territory in the world. This was not expected to ease in the near future, with the population of Singapore estimated to grow to 6.52 million people in 2035. While this might not come close to the population size of other Asian metropolises such as Tokyo or Bangkok, the lack of land available for development poses a great challenge to the island city-state. Since its independence in 1965, Singapore has increased its land area from 581.5 square kilometers to its current size through land reclamation. However, Singapore’s proximity to Malaysia and the Riau Islands in Indonesia effectively limit the available area for reclamation to its maritime borders. The importance of urban planning Urban planning in Singapore must therefore make effective use of what little land is available without compromising livability. Most residents live in apartments situated in high-rise buildings, with a large majority of the population living in public housing provided by the Housing Development Board. Rooftop gardens, tree-lined roads and green innovations such as vertical farming and “breathing walls” help soften the presence of all that glass and concrete, earning Singapore its moniker of “Garden City”. Whether and how well Singapore can sustain the quality of life that its residents are used to with an ever-increasing population density in the next twenty years is, however, to be seen.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Arab Emirates data was reported at 87.500 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 82.600 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Arab Emirates data is updated yearly, averaging 85.500 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2015, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 95.700 % in 2013 and a record low of 70.000 % in 2011. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: United Arab Emirates data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Sweden data was reported at 91.000 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 74.300 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Sweden data is updated yearly, averaging 83.100 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 95.900 % in 2013 and a record low of 17.600 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Sweden data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Indonesia data was reported at 82.000 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 80.200 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Indonesia data is updated yearly, averaging 71.500 % from Dec 2001 (Median) to 2015, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 96.100 % in 2013 and a record low of 37.600 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Indonesia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Tourism Malaysia. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.Q009: Tourist Arrivals By Major Activities Engaged.