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List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population

{{Short description|none}}

{{EngvarB|date=March 2015}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}

This article details the list of the most populous settlements in Malaysia. Malaysia designates all populated regions into three categories: a district, municipality, or city. While district boundaries are limited to individual state-drawn district boundaries, some municipalities and cities are made up of several smaller component districts whose elevated status forms a local government. Thus, this list does not include component districts and only includes overall administrative localities defined by their respective local governments.

Within defined boundaries

{{See also|List of local governments in Malaysia|List of cities in Malaysia}}

This table lists all cities, municipalities and districts in Malaysia whose population exceeds 250,000 people, according to statistics published in the 2020 Malaysian census by the Malaysian Department of Statistics (DOSM). There are 34 populated regions in Malaysia whose population exceeds 250,000 people. All 13 states and the Federal Territories have at least one city, municipality or district whose population exceeded 250,000 people.

This table displays:

  1. The settlement name;
  2. The state in which the settlement is located;
  3. The settlement's population as of 2020, as estimated in the 2020 census conducted by the DOSM;
  4. The settlement's population as of 2010, as estimated in the 2010 census conducted by the DOSM;
  5. The settlement's population difference between 2010 and 2020;
  6. The land area of the settlement's defined boundaries in square kilometres (km2);
  7. The population density of the settlement in people per square kilometres (/km2), as estimated by the settlement's 2020 population figures.

class="wikitable" style="line-height:1.4em; "

! colspan="2" |Key (local governments)

style="background:#ffff99; width:1em"|

|Regions administered by city halls and councils (Dewan/Majlis Bandaraya)

style="background:#E0CEF2"|

| Regions administered by municipal councils (Majlis Perbandaran)

style="background:#CEF2E0"|

| Regions administered by district councils (Majlis Daerah)

†

|National capital

#

|State administrative capitals

*

|State royal capitals

class="wikitable sortable"

|+List of the largest cities, municipalities, districts in Malaysia (in accordance to population figures of over 250,000 people)

! rowspan="2"| City, municipality or district

! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="number"|State

! colspan="3" | Government census figures

! rowspan="2"| Land area

! rowspan="2"|Density
{{Refn|Derived from the 2020 census.|group=note}}

2020

!2010

!Diff.

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Kuala Lumpur†

|{{Flag|Federal Territory (Malaysia)|name=Federal Territories}}

|{{change|invert=on|1,982,112|1,588,750}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022|p=75}}

| style="text-align:right;" |243 km2{{Cite web |title=Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur |url=https://v1.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cone&menu_id=bjRlZXVGdnBueDJKY1BPWEFPRlhIdz09 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Department of Statistics Malaysia}}

| style="text-align:right;" |8,156/km2

style="background-color:#E0CEF2" |Kajang

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|1,047,356|795,522}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |788 km2{{Cite web |date=4 November 2015 |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mpkj.gov.my/ms/mpkj/profil/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kajang Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,329/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Seberang Perai

|{{Flag|Penang}}

|{{change|invert=on|946,092|818,097}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022i|p=96}}

| style="text-align:right;" |751 km2{{Cite news |last=Edmund Lee |date=20 May 2019 |title=New era of development for Seberang Perai with 'city status' recognition |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/new-era-of-development-for-seberang-perai-with-city-status-recognition/ |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,265/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Subang Jaya

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|902086,|708,296}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |162 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang Penubuhan MBSJ |url=https://www.mbsj.gov.my/en/node/123 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Subang Jaya City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |5,568/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Klang*

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|902,025|744,062}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |573 km2{{Cite journal |last=Yasin |first=Muhammad Yazrin |date=Dec 2022 |title=Urbanization and growth of Greater Kuala Lumpur: Issues and recommendations for urban growth management |url=https://fass.ubd.edu.bn/SEA/vol22-2/Urbanization%20and%20growth%20of%20Greater%20Kuala%20Lumpur.pdf |journal=Universiti Brunei Darussalam |pages=6}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,574/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Johor Bahru#

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|858,118|497,067}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |373 km2{{Cite web |title=Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Johor Bahru |url=https://www.mbip.gov.my/ms/mpjbt/pusat-media/pengumuman/rancangan-tempatan-daerah-johor-bahru |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Iskandar Puteri City Council |date=2 July 2018 |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |2,300/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Shah Alam#

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|812,327|541,306}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |290 km2{{Cite web |title=Lokasi dan Demografi |url=https://www.mbsa.gov.my/ms-my/infoshahalam/kenalishahalam/Halaman/lokasi_demografi.aspx |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Shah Alam City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |2,801/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |George Town#

|{{Flag|Penang}}

|{{change|invert=on|794,313|708,127}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022i|p=96}}

| style="text-align:right;" |306 km2{{Cite news |last=Looi |first=Sue Chern |date=25 March 2015 |title=George Town A City Again |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/george-town-city-again |access-date=26 December 2023 |work=The Edge}}

| style="text-align:right;" |2,596/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Petaling Jaya

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|771,687|613,977}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |97 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mbpj.gov.my/ms/mbpj/profil/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Petaling Jaya City Council |date=16 September 2015 |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |7,955/km2

style="background-color:#E0CEF2" |Selayang

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|764,327|542,409}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |546 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mps.gov.my/ms/latar-belakang-0 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Selayang Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,400/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Ipoh#

|{{Flag|Perak}}

|{{change|invert=on|759,952|657,892}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022g|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |643 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mbi.gov.my/index.php/korporat/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Ipoh City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,182/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Seremban#{{Refn|The present municipal government administering the regions of Seremban had merged with the now-defunct Nilai municipal government (of the town of Nilai) in 2020.{{sfn|New Straits Times|2020}}|group=note}}

|{{Flag|Negeri Sembilan}}

|{{change|invert=on|681,541|515,490}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022d|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |923 km2{{Cite journal |title=MAKLUMAT PECAHAN GUNATANAH DI BAWAH MAJLIS BANDARAYA SEREMBAN |url=https://www.mbs.gov.my/sites/default/files/2023-06/MAKLUMAT%20PECAHAN%20GUNATANAH%20DI%20BAWAH%20MAJLIS%20BANDARAYA%20SEREMBAN_2023.pdf |journal=Seremban City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |738/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Iskandar Puteri{{Refn|Formerly known as Nusajaya until 2015.{{sfn|Musa|2015}}|group=note}}

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|575,977|529,074}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |403 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |1,429/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Kuantan#

|{{Flag|Pahang}}

|{{change|invert=on|548,014|427,515}}

| style="text-align:right;" |324 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://mbk.gov.my/portal/latar-belakang/ |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuantan City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,691/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Sungai Petani

|{{Flag|Kedah}}

|{{change|invert=on|545,053|443,488}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022b|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |913 km2{{Cite journal |date=2020 |title=KEPENDUDUKAN NEGERI KEDAH |url=https://v1.dosm.gov.my/v1/uploads/files/6_Newsletter/Newsletter%202020/DOSM-DOSM-KEDAH-1.2020-Siri-79.pdf |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |pages=3}}

| style="text-align:right;" |597/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Ampang Jaya

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|531,904|468,961}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |144 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |3,964/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Kota Kinabalu#

|{{Flag|Sabah}}

|{{change|invert=on|500,425|452,058}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022j|pp=101{{ndash}}102}}

| style="text-align:right;" |352 km2{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Official Year Book 2020 |url=https://dbook.penerangan.gov.my/dbook/dmdocuments/oyb2020/mobile/index.html#p=69 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Department of Information Malaysia |page=65 |issn=0126-8627}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,422/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Malacca City#{{Refn|Malacca City's administrative zone was separated into two when a breakaway municipality, Hang Tuah Jaya, was created in 2010.{{sfn|Carvalho|2010}}|group=note}}

|{{Flag|Melaka}}

| align="right" |453,904

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022d|p=93}}

| align="right" |270 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mbmb.gov.my/ms/mbmb/profil/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Malacca City Council |language=MS}}

| align="right" |1,681/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Sandakan

|{{Flag|Sabah}}

|{{change|invert=on|439,050|396,290}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022j|pp=101{{ndash}}102}}

| style="text-align:right;" |2,275 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |193/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Alor Setar#

|{{Flag|Kedah}}

|{{change|invert=on|423,868|405,523}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022b|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |666 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/latar-belakang-mbas/ |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Alor Setar City Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |636/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Tawau

|{{Flag|Sabah}}

|{{change|invert=on|420,806|397,673}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022j|pp=101{{ndash}}102}}

| style="text-align:right;" |6,149 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |68/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Batu Pahat

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|401,210|209,461}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,873 km2{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Official Year Book 2020 |url=https://dbook.penerangan.gov.my/dbook/dmdocuments/oyb2020/mobile/index.html#p=56 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Department of Information Malaysia |page=53 |issn=0126-8627}}

| style="text-align:right;" |214/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kota Bharu

|{{Flag|Kelantan}}

|{{change|invert=on|396,193|314,964}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022c|p=100}}

| style="text-align:right;" |116 km2{{Cite web |date=17 Oct 2022 |title=Info Kota Bharu |url=https://mpkbbri.kelantan.gov.my/index.php/pelawat/info-kota-bharu |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Islamic City of Kota Bharu Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |3,415/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Kuala Terengganu#*

|{{Flag|Terengganu}}

|{{change|invert=on|375,424|337,533}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022m|p=94}}

| style="text-align:right;" |605 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://mbkt.terengganu.gov.my/ms/mbkt/profil/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuala Terengganu City Council |date=3 November 2015 |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |621/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Kuching#

|{{Flag|Sarawak}}

|{{change|invert=on|349,147|325,132}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022k|p=123}}

| style="text-align:right;" |431 km2{{Cite web |title=Administrative Area |url=https://dbku.sarawak.gov.my/page-260-428-429-Administrative-Area.html |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuching North City Hall}}{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://mbks.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/1396 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuching South City Council}}

| style="text-align:right;" |810/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Sepang

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|324,585|207,354}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |619 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mpsepang.gov.my/latar-belakang/ |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Sepang Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |524/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kulim

|{{Flag|Kedah}}

|{{change|invert=on|319,056|281,260}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022b|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |774 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |412/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Muar*

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|314,776|201,148}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,376 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |229/km2

style="background-color:#ffff99" |Pasir Gudang

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|312,437|46,571}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| style="text-align:right;" |360 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |868/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kuala Langat

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|307,418|220,214}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| style="text-align:right;" |858 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://mpkl.gov.my/latar-belakang/ |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuala Langat Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| style="text-align:right;" |358/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kulai

|{{Flag|Johor}}

|{{change|invert=on|294,156|234,532}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022a|p=95}}

| align="right" |747 km2

| align="right" |394/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kangar#

|{{Flag|Perlis}}

|{{change|invert=on|284,853|225,590}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022h|p=91}}

| align="right" |795 km2{{Cite web |title=Latar Belakang |url=https://www.mpkangar.gov.my/ms/laman/latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kangar Municipal Council |language=MS}}

| align="right" |358/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Kuala Selangor

|{{Flag|Selangor}}

|{{change|invert=on|281,717|205,257}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022l|p=97}}

| align="right" |1,195 km2{{Cite web |title=Profil |url=https://www.mpks.gov.my/profil#latar-belakang |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Kuala Selangor Municipal Council}}

| align="right" |236/km2

style="background:#E0CEF2" |Padawan

|{{Flag|Sarawak}}

|{{change|invert=on|260,058|273,485}}{{sfn|DOSM|2022k|p=123}}

| align="right" |984 km2{{Cite web |title=Council Profile |url=https://mpp.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/webpage_view/55 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=Padawan Municipal Council}}

| align="right" |264/km2

= Distribution =

File:Malaya_PBT_population_(2020_census)_wiki.svg

There are 34 settlements in Malaysia with a population of over 250,000 people. All 13 states and the Federal Territories have at least one settlement in the list. West Malaysia has more settlements that fit this criterion than East Malaysia, with 29 settlements against the East's five. The states with the smallest number of settlements in this list are Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Terengganu and the Federal Territories, with one locality each respectively, while the state with the highest number of settlements with a population above 250,000 is Selangor, with 10 settlements in the list.

class="wikitable" style="line-height:1.4em; font-size:100%"

! rowspan="2" |Population

! colspan="14" |States

! colspan="2" |Regions

! rowspan="2" |Total

JHR

!KDH

!KTN

!MLK

!NSN

!PHG

!PNG

!PRK

!PLS

!SBH

!SWK

!SGR

!TRG

!FT

!WM

!EM

align="center" |1,000,000+

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |2

align="right" | 750,000{{Ndash}}999,999

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |5

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |9

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |9

align="right" | 500,000{{Ndash}}749,999

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |5

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |6

align="right" |250,000{{Ndash}}499,999

| align="right" |4

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |3

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |{{Ndash}}

| align="right" |13

| align="right" |4

| align="right" |17

align="right" |Total

| align="right" |6

| align="right" |3

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |3

| align="right" |2

| align="right" |10

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |1

| align="right" |29

| align="right" |5

| align="right" |34

= Gallery =

{{Gallery|File:Kuala_Lumpur_(cropped,_4to3landscape).jpg|1. Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territories|File:Kajang,_Selangor_(2018)_(cropped_4to3_landscape).jpg|2. Kajang, Selangor|File:Butterworth, Seberang Perai, Penang 2024.jpg|3. Seberang Perai, Penang|File:Sunway_City,_Petaling_Jaya,_Malaysia_(cropped,_4to3landscape).jpg|4. Subang Jaya, Selangor|File:Mosque - panoramio - Tony Ng.jpg|5. Klang, Selangor|File:Empty_Singapore-Malaysia_Causeway_(cropped,_4to3landscape).jpg|6. Johor Bahru, Johor|File:Shah_Alam_Stadium_aerial_view_(cropped,_4to3landscape).jpg|7. Shah Alam, Selangor|File:Skyline of George Town, Penang at night November 2024 28-15.jpg|8. George Town, Penang|File:RapidKL_Kelana_Jaya_line_Petaling_Jaya_(cropped,_4to3landscape).jpg|9. Petaling Jaya, Selangor|File:Selayang,_Selangor_(2018)_(cropped_4to3_landscape).png|10. Selayang, Selangor|File:Ipoh_(2022).jpg|11. Ipoh, Perak|File:Jalan_Tuanku_Munawir_facing_south_(220709).jpg|12. Seremban, Negeri Sembilan|File:Kota_Iskandar_Mosque.JPG|13. Iskandar Puteri, Johor|File:Kuantan 1.jpg|14. Kuantan, Pahang|File:Jalan_Pengkalan_intersection,_Sungai_Petani_(221001).jpg|15. Sungai Petani, Kedah|title=|width=150|height=100|align=center}}

Largest metropolitan areas by population

The DOSM does not provide any definitions related to metropolitan areas in Malaysia, nor have any statistical calculations that concern build-up areas surrounding an urban centre. However, several major urban regions, such as Greater Kuala Lumpur, the George Town Conurbation and the Johor Bahru Conurbation (Southern Conurbation), have been well-described as metropolitan areas since the early-2010s by local media and government authorities in the latest edition of the National Physical Plan. Despite this, there remains some ambiguity in defining the actual boundaries of other smaller counterparts.

There are 12 metropolitan areas in Malaysia. Perlis and Kelantan are the only states without one. Greater Kuala Lumpur and the George Town Conurbation are the only metropolitan areas that span multiple states (Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak; and Penang, Kedah and Perak, respectively). The latter is also the only metropolitan area where the core city is not its most populated settlement (George Town has a population of 794,313, while Seberang Perai has a population of 946,092).

This table displays:

  1. The metropolitan area rank by population as of 2020, as estimated with individual local authority population figures by the DOSM;
  2. The name of the metropolitan area;
  3. The core city of the metropolitan area;
  4. The metropolitan area's population as of 2020, as estimated in the 2020 census conducted by the DOSM;
  5. The metropolitan area's population as of 2010, as estimated in the 2010 census conducted by the DOSM;
  6. The metropolitan area's population difference between 2010 and 2020;
  7. The land area of the metropolitan area's defined boundaries in square kilometres (km2);
  8. The population density of the metropolitan area in people per square kilometres (/km2);

class="wikitable sortable"

|+List of the largest metropolitan areas in Malaysia by population

! rowspan="2"| №

! rowspan="2"| Metropolitan area

! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="number"|Core city

! colspan="3" | DOSM census figures

! rowspan="2"| Land area

! rowspan="2"|Density (2020)

! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" |Ref.

2020

!2010

!Diff.

1

|Greater Kuala Lumpur{{Refn|It is sometimes synonymous with the term Klang Valley, though both convey different definitions. Klang Valley is generally recognised to encompass six cities (Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya), and five municipalities (Kajang, Selayang, Ampang Jaya, Sepang and Kuala Langat), while Greater Kuala Lumpur (also known as the National Growth Conurbation) covers not only the entire Klang Valley region, but also the outskirts surrounding it such as Hulu Selangor District in Selangor itself, and parts of neighbouring states as in Negeri Sembilan's Malaysia Vision Valley region (Seremban and Port Dickson Districts), parts of Bentong District in Pahang to the east, and Tanjong Malim in southern Perak.|group=note}}

|Kuala Lumpur

|{{change|invert=on|9,085,737|7,119,252}}

| style="text-align:right;" |7,143 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |3,062/km2

|{{sfn|Malaysian Digest|2011}}

2

|George Town Conurbation{{Refn|The George Town Conurbation comprises two cities (George Town and Seberang Perai), four municipalities (Sungai Petani, Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Yan) and portions of two districts (Kerian and Selama).|group=note}}

|George Town

|{{change|invert=on|2,843,344|2,331,180}}

| style="text-align:right;" |3,765 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |756/km2

|{{sfn|Samat|Tan|Tilaki|Tew|2020|p=373}}

3

|Johor Bahru Conurbation{{Refn|Listed in the latest edition of the National Physical Plan, it includes Johor Bahru, Senai, Skudai, Kulai, Pasir Gudang, Tanjung Pelepas, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Desaru, Pengerang and Bandar Tenggara.|group=note}}

|Johor Bahru

|{{change|invert=on|2,487,601|1,495,098}}

| style="text-align:right;" |4,954 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |502/km2

| style="text-align:right;" |{{Cite journal |title=Urban Transport Master Plan Study for the Johor Bahru Conurbation, Malaysia. |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/10694834.pdf |journal=Government of Malaysia, Japan International Cooperation Agency}}{{Cite journal |title=RANCANGAN STRUKTUR NEGERI JOHOR 2030 (KAJIAN SEMULA) |url=http://epublisiti.townplan.gov.my/turun/rsn_johor2030/ringkasan.pdf |journal=PLANMalaysia@Johor}}{{Cite journal |first= |date= |title=DRAF RANCANGAN FIZIKAL NEGARA KE-4: Ke Arah Kemakmuran Bersama |url=https://mytownnet.planmalaysia.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/MESY-PEGAWAI-KANAN_SLIDE-RFN4-1.pdf |journal=Bahagian Rancangan Fizikal Negara |pages=12}}{{Cite journal |title=Bab 7 - PPSN (Zon Selatan) |url=https://myplan.planmalaysia.gov.my/admin/uploads_publication/rancangan-fizikal-negara-keempat-rfn4-bab-7---ppsn-zon-selatan-my-24112021.pdf |journal=Rancangan Fizikal Negara Keempat (RFN4) |pages=14}}

4

|Greater Ipoh

|Ipoh

|{{change|invert=on|984,586|828,174}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,988 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |495/km2

|{{sfn|Fleming|2021|p=8}}

5

|Greater Kota Kinabalu

|Kota Kinabalu

|{{change|invert=on|949,931|855,556}}

| style="text-align:right;" |3,277 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |290/km2

|{{sfn|World Bank|2015|p=81}}

6

|Greater Kuching

|Kuching

|{{change|invert=on|934,515|857,110}}

| style="text-align:right;" |2,031 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |460/km2

|{{sfn|Adenan|2017}}

7

|{{ill|Greater Kuantan|ms|Metropolitan Greater Kuantan}}

|Kuantan

|{{change|invert=on|884,754|697,788}}

| style="text-align:right;" |5,211 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |170/km2

|{{sfn|NST–via ECERDC|2013}}

8

|Seremban metropolitan {{Refn|Anchor city of the Malaysia Vision Valley corridor, which is also the southern extension of Greater Kuala Lumpur.|group=note}}

|Seremban

|{{change|invert=on|795,279|613,324}}

| style="text-align:right;" |1,534 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |518/km2

|{{sfn|Singh|2023}}

9

|Malacca City metropolitan

|Malacca City

|{{change|invert=on|642,761|484,885}}

| style="text-align:right;" |308 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |2,087/km2

|{{sfn|Malacca City Council|2015}}

10

|{{ill|Greater Miri|ms|Kawasan Metropolitan Miri}}

|Miri

|{{change|invert=on|546,338|502,135}}

| style="text-align:right;" |5,205 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |60/km2

|{{sfn|Kiew|2023}}

11

|Alor Setar metropolitan

|Alor Setar

|{{change|invert=on|423,868|405,523}}

| style="text-align:right;" |609 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |696/km2

|{{sfn|DOSM|2022b|p=97}}

12

|Kuala Terengganu metropolitan

|Kuala Terengganu

|{{change|invert=on|375,424|337,533}}

| style="text-align:right;" |605 km2

| style="text-align:right;" |621/km2

|{{sfn|DOSM|2022m|p=94}}

See also

References

=Notes=

{{reflist|group="note"|30em}}

=Citations=

{{reflist|20em}}

=Bibliography=

==Academic journals and publications==

{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}

  • {{Cite book |last=Fleming |first=Tom |url=https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_ipoh_perak.pdf |title=Ipoh, Perak |publisher=British Council |year=2021 |pages=1{{ndash}}37 |chapter=Ipoh and Metropolitan Kinta in Numbers}}
  • {{Cite journal |last1=Samat |first1=Narimah |last2=Tan |first2=Mou Leong |last3=Tilaki |first3=Mohammad J. M. |last4=Tew |first4=Yi Lin |year=2020 |title=Modelling Land Cover Changes in Peri-Urban Areas: A Case Study of George Town Conurbation, Malaysia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345892394 |journal=Land |volume=9 |issue=10 |page=373 |doi=10.3390/land9100373 |doi-access=free |via=ResearchGate}}
  • {{cite web|url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/709061475743434007/pdf/102222-v1-REVISED-PUBLIC-Malaysia-Competitive-Cities-Main-Report-low-res-final.pdf|title=Achieving a System of Competitive Cities in Malaysia [Main Report]|work=World Bank Reimbursable Advisory Service Social, Urban, Rural, and Resilience Global Practice|via=World Bank|year=2015|ref={{harvid|World Bank|2015}}}}

{{refend}}

==Articles from magazines, newspapers and websites==

{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}

  • {{Cite news |last=Adenan |first=Asmah |date=18 November 2017 |title=CM: Greater Kuching to be a Smart City |work=Sarawak Voice |url=https://sarawakvoice.com/cm-greater-kuching-to-be-a-smart-city/ |access-date=21 June 2023}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Carvalho |first=Martin |date=2 January 2010 |title=Malacca ushers in 2010 with new Hang Tuah Jaya municipality |work=The Star |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2010/01/02/malacca-ushers-in-2010-with-new-hang-tuah-jaya-municipality |access-date=16 June 2023}}
  • {{Cite web |last=Kiew |first=Philip |date=16 June 2023 |title=Minister: Greater Miri masterplan focuses on coexistence between urban progress, sustainability |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/06/16/minister-greater-miri-masterplan-focuses-on-coexistence-between-urban-progress-sustainability/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=The Borneo Post}}
  • {{cite web |date=8 October 2015 |title=Background |url=http://www.mbmb.gov.my/latar-belakang |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011230311/http://www.mbmb.gov.my/latar-belakang |archive-date=11 October 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=Malacca City Council |ref={{harvid|Malacca City Council|2015}}}}
  • {{Cite web |date=25 October 2010 |title=Greater KL to Drive Rapid Growth |url=http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/36-local/10630-greater-kl-to-drive-rapid-growth.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309011608/http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/36-local/10630-greater-kl-to-drive-rapid-growth.html |archive-date=9 March 2011 |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=Malaysian Digest|ref={{harvid|Malaysian Digest|2011}}}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Musa |first=Zakali |date=7 December 2015 |title=Nusajaya to be renamed Iskandar Puteri |work=The Star |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/12/07/nusajaya-to-be-renamed-iskandar-puteri/ |access-date=16 June 2023}}
  • {{Cite web |date=22 February 2019 |title=Iskandar Malaysia to be extended, covering more areas in Johor |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2019/02/462660/iskandar-malaysia-be-extended-covering-more-areas-johor |website=New Straits Times|ref={{harvid|New Straits Times|2019}}}}
  • {{Cite news |date=2 January 2020 |title=Zazali appointed first Mayor of Seremban City Council |work=New Straits Times |agency=Bernama |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/552948/zazali-appointed-first-mayor-seremban-city-council |access-date=16 June 2023|ref={{harvid|New Straits Times|2020}}}}
  • {{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Sarban |date=14 June 2023 |title=Federal govt committed to supporting Negri's Malaysian Vision Valley, says Anwar |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/14/federal-govt-committed-to-supporting-negri039s-malaysian-vision-valley-says-anwar |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=The Star |language=en}}
  • {{Cite web |date=2 February 2013 |title=MCKIP will put Kuantan on Asian investment map |url=https://www.ecerdc.com.my/news/mckip-will-put-kuantan-on-asian-investment-map/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=ecerdc.com.my |publisher=New Straits Times |language=en-US |via=East Coast Economic Region Development Council |ref={{harvid|NST–via ECERDC|2013}}}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Zainal |first=Siti Rohaniah |date=31 January 2023 |title=MPK dijangka capai status bandar raya 23 November ini |work=SelangorKini |url=https://selangorkini.my/2023/01/mpk-dijangka-capai-status-bandar-raya-23-november-ini/ |access-date=22 June 2023|language=ms|trans-title=MPK expects to reach city status on 23 November this year}}

{{refend}}

==Government journals and statistical reports==

{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}

  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=166155&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=117927 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur |year=2022|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535232 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167615&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178735 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Johor |year=2022a|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022a}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167830&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178770 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Kedah |year=2022b|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |pages=97 |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022b}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167826&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178808 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Kelantan |year=2022c|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022c}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167628&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178831 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Melaka |year=2022d|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022d}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167717&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178746 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Negeri Sembilan |year=2022e|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022e}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167597&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178755 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Pahang |year=2022f|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia)|isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022f}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167757&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178742 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Perak |year=2022g|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022g}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167837&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178804 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Perlis |year=2022h|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022h}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=166149&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178732 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Pulau Pinang |year=2022i|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535164|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022i}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=166154&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178772 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Sabah |year=2022j|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535218|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022j}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=165625&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178789 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Sarawak |year=2022k|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535225|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022k}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167590&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=156554 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Selangor |year=2022l|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126 |location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022l}}}}
  • {{Cite book |url=https://newss.statistics.gov.my/newss-portalx/ep/epFreeDownloadContentSearch.seam?contentId=167758&actionMethod=ep%2FepFreeDownloadContentSearch.xhtml%3AcontentAction.doDisplayContent&cid=178817 |title=Key Findings Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020: Terengganu |year=2022m|publisher=Department of Statistics (Malaysia) |isbn=9789672535126|location=Putrajaya |language=ms, en |chapter=Population and Housing Statistics |url-access=registration |ref={{harvid|DOSM|2022m}}}}

{{refend|30em|indent=yes}}

{{Most populous cities in Malaysia}}

{{Malaysia topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Cities And Towns In Malaysia By Population}}

Malaysia, population

Malaysia, population

Cities by population