Share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia
Malaysia: Share of population living in rural areas was 17.72 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia stood at 17.72. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
That represents a change of down 10.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia peaked at 42.23 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 17.72, in 2020.
That places Malaysia 166th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 42.23 | — |
| 1955 | 40.37 | -4.4% |
| 1960 | 38.37 | -4.9% |
| 1965 | 36.45 | -5.0% |
| 1970 | 34.74 | -4.7% |
| 1975 | 32.95 | -5.2% |
| 1980 | 31.8 | -3.5% |
| 1985 | 30.14 | -5.2% |
| 1990 | 28.2 | -6.4% |
| 1995 | 25.49 | -9.6% |
| 2000 | 22.99 | -9.8% |
| 2005 | 21.41 | -6.9% |
| 2010 | 19.82 | -7.4% |
| 2015 | 18.5 | -6.7% |
| 2020 | 17.72 | -4.2% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 17.72 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 25.26, 70% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 17.72 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 29.5, 60% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 41.3 | 40.37 | 42.23 | 2 |
| 1960s | 37.41 | 36.45 | 38.37 | 2 |
| 1970s | 33.84 | 32.95 | 34.74 | 2 |
| 1980s | 30.97 | 30.14 | 31.8 | 2 |
| 1990s | 26.85 | 25.49 | 28.2 | 2 |
| 2000s | 22.2 | 21.41 | 22.99 | 2 |
| 2010s | 19.16 | 18.5 | 19.82 | 2 |
| 2020s | 17.72 | 17.72 | 17.72 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
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)
- Population growth rate -0.278 (2100)
- Population density 134 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 1.91 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Malaysia was 17.72 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 42.23 in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.72 in 2020.
- How does Malaysia rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Malaysia ranks 166th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Malaysia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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