Urban Population: Malaysia
Malaysia's urban population is currently 76.9% as of 2024. # Malaysia Urban Population Malaysia's urban population reached 76.
Current (2024)
76.9%
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
76.9%
Low (1960)
26.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Malaysia
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Malaysia
Analysis# Malaysia Urban Population
Malaysia's urban population reached 76.917% in 2024, representing the country's all-time peak. This figure marks a dramatic transformation from 1960, when only 26.067% of the population lived in urban areas—a cumulative increase of 195.1% over 64 years. The nation has shifted decisively from a rural-majority country to an overwhelmingly urban one, with three-quarters of residents now concentrated in cities and towns.
The acceleration of urbanization intensified after 2015, when the urban share stood at 73.439%. Annual growth rates have remained consistent, averaging roughly 0.47 percentage points yearly between 2015 and 2024. This steady upward trajectory suggests Malaysia's urbanization process has stabilized at a high level, with continued but gradual increases likely as the country approaches saturation in urban settlement patterns.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 76.9% | +0.62% |
| 2023 | 76.4% | +0.62% |
| 2022 | 76.0% | +0.62% |
| 2021 | 75.5% | +0.61% |
| 2020 | 75.1% | +0.28% |
| 2019 | 74.8% | +0.37% |
| 2018 | 74.6% | +0.44% |
| 2017 | 74.2% | +0.51% |
| 2016 | 73.9% | +0.57% |
| 2015 | 73.4% | +0.63% |
| 2014 | 73.0% | +0.68% |
| 2013 | 72.5% | +0.72% |
| 2012 | 72.0% | +0.76% |
| 2011 | 71.4% | +0.79% |
| 2010 | 70.9% | +0.88% |
| 2009 | 70.2% | +1.01% |
| 2008 | 69.5% | +1.13% |
| 2007 | 68.8% | +1.25% |
| 2006 | 67.9% | +1.35% |
| 2005 | 67.0% | +1.44% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 66.1% | +1.52% |
| 2003 | 65.1% | +1.59% |
| 2002 | 64.1% | +1.65% |
| 2001 | 63.0% | +1.69% |
| 2000 | 62.0% | +1.79% |
| 1999 | 60.9% | +1.94% |
| 1998 | 59.7% | +2.08% |
| 1997 | 58.5% | +2.22% |
| 1996 | 57.2% | +2.34% |
| 1995 | 55.9% | +2.45% |
| 1994 | 54.6% | +2.55% |
| 1993 | 53.2% | +2.63% |
| 1992 | 51.9% | +2.72% |
| 1991 | 50.5% | +2.98% |
| 1990 | 49.0% | +3.36% |
| 1989 | 47.4% | +3.68% |
| 1988 | 45.8% | +3.93% |
| 1987 | 44.0% | +4.10% |
| 1986 | 42.3% | +4.17% |
| 1985 | 40.6% | +4.13% |
| 1984 | 39.0% | +3.95% |
| 1983 | 37.5% | +3.63% |
| 1982 | 36.2% | +3.14% |
| 1981 | 35.1% | +2.47% |
| 1980 | 34.2% | +1.99% |
| 1979 | 33.6% | +1.86% |
| 1978 | 33.0% | +1.75% |
| 1977 | 32.4% | +1.64% |
| 1976 | 31.9% | +1.54% |
| 1975 | 31.4% | +1.44% |
| 1974 | 30.9% | +1.36% |
| 1973 | 30.5% | +1.29% |
| 1972 | 30.1% | +1.23% |
| 1971 | 29.8% | +1.18% |
| 1970 | 29.4% | +1.14% |
| 1969 | 29.1% | +1.12% |
| 1968 | 28.8% | +1.11% |
| 1967 | 28.5% | +1.11% |
| 1966 | 28.1% | +1.14% |
| 1965 | 27.8% | +1.17% |
| 1964 | 27.5% | +1.23% |
| 1963 | 27.2% | +1.29% |
| 1962 | 26.8% | +1.39% |
| 1961 | 26.5% | +1.49% |
| 1960 | 26.1% | — |
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