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 July 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 July 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.

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.

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.

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: Canada data was reported at 90.700 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 84.800 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Canada data is updated yearly, averaging 84.900 % 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 27.100 % in 2003. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Canada 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: 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.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other Asia data was reported at 87.900 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 89.300 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other Asia data is updated yearly, averaging 90.900 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.800 % in 2011 and a record low of 87.600 % in 2006. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other Asia 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: Other Europe data was reported at 91.000 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 87.600 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other Europe data is updated yearly, averaging 87.600 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 96.600 % in 2013 and a record low of 77.800 % in 2007. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other Europe 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.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Johor Bahru, Malaysia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

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: Other America data was reported at 92.600 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 85.600 % for 2014. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other America data is updated yearly, averaging 90.700 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.000 % in 2013 and a record low of 72.100 % in 2011. Malaysia Tourist Arrival: Sightseeing In Cities: Other America 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, there were 60 post offices and mini post offices in the urban area in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Pos Malaysia Berhad is the major postal delivery service in the country. The private-owned company has an exclusive concession to provide postal services.

The Southern Chinese populations are compared, specifically the children of Guangzhou City (China), Penang City (west coast Malaysia) and Kelantan City (east coast Malaysia). These Chinese people have similar ancestry thus it would allow us to delineate the effect of diet and ethnicity on gut microbiota composition. For comparison, the Penang and Kelantan Malay (race) children were also included. The results of Weighted beta diversity, Unweighted beta diversity, Relative abundance of major genera, Foods frequency questionnaires were uploaded.