Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia
Malaysia: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 55.0% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Malaysia recorded 55.0% for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of up 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia peaked at 55.0% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.6%, in 1950.
That places Malaysia 40th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 4.6% | — |
| 1955 | 6.5% | +43.0% |
| 1960 | 8.0% | +22.8% |
| 1965 | 10.9% | +36.1% |
| 1970 | 13.2% | +21.3% |
| 1975 | 18.5% | +39.9% |
| 1980 | 24.7% | +33.2% |
| 1985 | 30.8% | +25.0% |
| 1990 | 35.8% | +16.1% |
| 1995 | 39.3% | +9.7% |
| 2000 | 44.1% | +12.2% |
| 2005 | 46.6% | +5.7% |
| 2010 | 48.8% | +4.7% |
| 2015 | 52.5% | +7.7% |
| 2020 | 55.0% | +4.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 5.5% | 4.6% | 6.5% | 2 |
| 1960s | 9.5% | 8.0% | 10.9% | 2 |
| 1970s | 15.9% | 13.2% | 18.5% | 2 |
| 1980s | 27.8% | 24.7% | 30.8% | 2 |
| 1990s | 37.5% | 35.8% | 39.3% | 2 |
| 2000s | 45.3% | 44.1% | 46.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 50.7% | 48.8% | 52.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 55.0% | 55.0% | 55.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 37 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 58.9% compare
- 38 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 57.4% compare
- 39 Peru 56.0% compare
- 41 Belarus 55.0% compare
- 42 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 54.5% compare
- 43 Ecuador 54.3% compare
More population data for Malaysia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.2671 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.2686 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 41,032 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.8625 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1472 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.3% (2100)
- Population density 134 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 1.91 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Malaysia was 55.0% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 55.0% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.6% in 1950.
- How does Malaysia rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Malaysia ranks 40th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.