Share of the population living in cities in Malaysia

Malaysia: Share of the population living in cities was 55.03 in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
55.03
World rank
40th
of 229 countries
All-time high
55.03
in 2020
All-time low
4.57
in 1950
Years of data
15
1950–2020

Share of the population living in cities in Malaysia, 1950–2020

02040601950198520201950: 4.61955: 6.51960: 81965: 10.91970: 13.21975: 18.51980: 24.71985: 30.81990: 35.81995: 39.32000: 44.12005: 46.62010: 48.82015: 52.52020: 55

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2020, share of the population living in cities in Malaysia stood at 55.03. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.

The figure is up 12.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, share of the population living in cities in Malaysia peaked at 55.03 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.57, in 1950.

That places Malaysia 40th out of 229 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 the population living in cities in Malaysia, year by year

Annual values for Share of the population living in cities in Malaysia, 1950 to 2020.
Year Value Change
1950 4.57
1955 6.53 +43.0%
1960 8.02 +22.8%
1965 10.91 +36.1%
1970 13.24 +21.3%
1975 18.52 +39.9%
1980 24.67 +33.2%
1985 30.84 +25.0%
1990 35.81 +16.1%
1995 39.28 +9.7%
2000 44.05 +12.2%
2005 46.58 +5.7%
2010 48.79 +4.7%
2015 52.54 +7.7%
2020 55.03 +4.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 5.55 4.57 6.53 2
1960s 9.46 8.02 10.91 2
1970s 15.88 13.24 18.52 2
1980s 27.76 24.67 30.84 2
1990s 37.55 35.81 39.28 2
2000s 45.32 44.05 46.58 2
2010s 50.67 48.79 52.54 2
2020s 55.03 55.03 55.03 1

Countries ranked near Malaysia

  1. 37 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 58.92 compare
  2. 38 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 57.36 compare
  3. 39 Peru 55.98 compare
  4. 41 Belarus 54.96 compare
  5. 42 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 54.53 compare
  6. 43 Ecuador 54.26 compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

More population data for Malaysia

All data for Malaysia →

Frequently asked questions

What is share of the population living in cities in Malaysia?
Share of the population living in cities in Malaysia was 55.03 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of the population living in cities recorded in Malaysia?
The highest recorded value was 55.03 in 2020.
What is the lowest share of the population living in cities recorded in Malaysia?
The lowest recorded value was 4.57 in 1950.
How does Malaysia rank for share of the population living in cities?
Malaysia ranks 40th out of 229 countries with data for 2020.
Is share of the population living in cities 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population living in cities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Share of the population living in cities in Malaysia. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/share-of-the-population-living-in-cities/malaysia/

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About this data

Indicator
Share of the population living in cities
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
236 places, 3,540 data points, 1950–2020
Last refreshed