Population Redistribution and Concentration in Malaysia, 1970-2020

This paper uses published census data to examine population redistribution and concentration in Malaysia since 1970. The population growth rate varied widely across states and districts, and between urban and rural areas. Consequently, the population has become ever more concentrated in the cities. In 2020, 41% of the population lived in 12 districts, making up 2.6% of the total land area. About one in four Malaysians live in the Greater Kuala Lumpur (commonly known as the Klang Valley – comprising the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur and four adjacent districts in Selangor), compared to 4.3% in 1970. The population in urban areas increased from 28% in 1970 to 75% in 2020, and most are in the cities. The rapid growth of urban population and concentration of population in major cities pose sustainable development challenges. However, the agglomeration of diverse labour pools provides economies of scale.