Kota Kinabalu's 2026 population is now estimated at 573,372. In 2020, the population of Kota Kinabalu was 500,400. Kota Kinabalu has grown by 13,341 in the last year, which represents a 2.38% annual change. These population values and projections come from Malaysia district population 2020 adjusted census baseline (DOSM OpenDOSM), Malaysia district population 2021 to 2024 official estimates (DOSM OpenDOSM) and World Population Review Internal Projections .
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Petaling | 2,389,126 | 0.62% |
| Kuala Lumpur | 2,111,536 | 1.06% |
| Johor Bahru | 1,846,586 | 1.29% |
| Ulu Langat | 1,568,081 | 1.97% |
| Klang | 1,223,344 | 2.04% |
| Gombak | 999,678 | 0.98% |
| Kinta | 940,702 | 0.94% |
| Seremban | 722,964 | 0.72% |
| Central Malacca | 648,015 | 1.41% |
| Kuching | 633,664 | 0.67% |
| Kota Bharu | 598,202 | 1.23% |
| Kuala Muda | 585,269 | 1.21% |
| Kuantan | 583,223 | 1.04% |
| Northeast Penang | 576,962 | 0.62% |
| Kota Kinabalu | 573,372 | 2.38% |
| Sandakan | 534,785 | 3.48% |
| Batu Pahat | 517,973 | 0.74% |
| Central Seberang Perai | 454,068 | 1.22% |
| Tawau | 435,797 | 2.65% |
| Kota Setar | 385,536 | 0.49% |
| Kulai | 363,183 | 1.66% |
| Kulim | 359,723 | 1.06% |
| Sepang | 357,792 | 1.56% |
| North Seberang Perai | 357,289 | 0.89% |
| Kluang | 338,589 | 0.71% |
| Kuala Langat | 335,982 | 1.47% |
| Muar | 327,362 | 0.63% |
| Kuala Selangor | 307,070 | 1.44% |
| Perlis | 302,843 | 1.01% |
| Larut Dan Matang | 282,376 | 0.75% |
| Ulu Selangor | 266,284 | 1.57% |
| Lahad Datu | 266,251 | 2.44% |
| Alor Gajah | 266,187 | 1.09% |
| Kubang Pasu | 260,506 | 1.39% |
| Miri | 260,002 | 0.74% |
| Sibu | 259,334 | 0.79% |
| Manjung | 258,725 | 0.73% |
| Southwest Penang | 253,868 | 1.12% |
| Kuala Terengganu | 253,509 | 1.64% |
| Pasir Mas | 245,976 | 1.11% |
| Kemaman | 240,337 | 1.82% |
| Kota Tinggi | 239,726 | 1.26% |
| Semporna | 220,261 | 5.13% |
| Segamat | 208,973 | 0.94% |
| Bintulu | 194,942 | 1.59% |
| Tumpat | 193,919 | 1.27% |
| South Seberang Perai | 189,826 | 0.46% |
| Temerloh | 182,712 | 1.34% |
| Kuala Kangsar | 181,994 | 0.55% |
| Pontian | 180,103 | 0.62% |
| Kinabatangan | 176,863 | 3.78% |
| Dungun | 173,250 | 1.52% |
| Tangkak | 172,649 | 0.92% |
| Besut | 171,345 | 1.78% |
| Kerian | 171,040 | 0.42% |
| Penampang | 169,892 | 0.68% |
| Bachok | 169,782 | 1.29% |
| Tanah Merah | 162,323 | 1.23% |
| Keningau | 162,106 | 1.26% |
| Kuala Nerus | 161,134 | 1.67% |
| Papar | 159,325 | 0.96% |
| Jasin | 157,952 | 0.49% |
| Baling | 150,877 | 0.93% |
| Pasir Puteh | 146,570 | 1.24% |
| Tuaran | 145,478 | 1.18% |
| Hilir Perak | 141,288 | -0.22% |
| Samarahan | 138,886 | 1.24% |
| Port Dickson | 138,695 | 1.28% |
| Jempol | 133,475 | 0.82% |
| Marang | 131,995 | 2.07% |
| Pekan | 131,522 | 1.37% |
| Batang Padang | 127,776 | 0.42% |
| Putrajaya | 125,822 | 2.27% |
| Bentong | 123,824 | 1.08% |
| Maran | 122,677 | 1.49% |
| Machang | 119,997 | 1.4% |
| Kuala Krai | 115,390 | 1.59% |
| Gua Musang | 115,168 | 2.09% |
| Kota Belud | 112,643 | 0.78% |
| Sabak Bernam | 111,957 | 0.75% |
| Lipis | 105,277 | 1.49% |
| Rompin | 105,093 | 1.06% |
| Labuan | 103,811 | 1.48% |
| Pendang | 102,988 | 0.68% |
| Langkawi | 102,935 | 1.51% |
| Bera | 102,618 | 0.8% |
| Raub | 102,333 | 1.11% |
| Jerantut | 102,212 | 1.1% |
| Perak Tengah | 100,850 | 1.08% |
| Kampar | 100,506 | 0.3% |
| Hulu Perak | 99,983 | 0.85% |
| Kudat | 97,118 | 2.08% |
| Beluran | 96,541 | 3.57% |
| Tampin | 91,825 | 0.67% |
| Ranau | 90,411 | 0.96% |
| Serian | 88,825 | 0.7% |
| Kunak | 86,530 | 4.26% |
| Bagan Datuk | 83,481 | 0.05% |
| Mersing | 82,560 | 0.9% |
| Muallim | 80,508 | 0.76% |
| Beaufort | 78,475 | 0.56% |
| Hulu Terengganu | 77,011 | 1.6% |
| Kota Marudu | 75,896 | 1.48% |
| Yan | 75,369 | 0.45% |
| Kuala Pilah | 73,406 | 0.76% |
| Putatan | 72,106 | 0.78% |
| Sik | 71,349 | 0.82% |
| Padang Terap | 68,661 | 0.71% |
| Setiu | 66,755 | 1.89% |
| Kalabakan | 64,280 | 4.64% |
| Sri Aman | 61,340 | 0.03% |
| Jeli | 59,362 | 1.34% |
| Tenom | 55,107 | 1.21% |
| Bau | 54,572 | 0.62% |
| Subis | 54,145 | -1.14% |
| Pokok Sena | 51,591 | 0.58% |
| Rembau | 50,211 | 1.02% |
| Jelebu | 50,145 | 1.47% |
| Cameron Highlands | 47,482 | 3.3% |
| Limbang | 47,237 | 0.79% |
| Tongod | 46,340 | 1.48% |
| Bandar Baharu | 46,233 | 0.69% |
| Sarikei | 45,509 | 0.56% |
| Mukah | 42,560 | 0.07% |
| Sipitang | 42,047 | 1.89% |
| Pitas | 39,433 | 1.2% |
| Lawas | 38,883 | 1.02% |
| Kapit | 37,532 | 0.72% |
| Simunjan | 37,427 | 0.58% |
| Betong | 37,386 | 0.52% |
| Selama | 35,607 | 0.58% |
| Asajaya | 35,580 | 0.97% |
| Lundu | 34,869 | 0.68% |
| Tambunan | 34,217 | 1.37% |
| Sebauh | 32,807 | 2.22% |
| Telupid | 32,188 | 1.57% |
| Nabawan | 32,020 | 2.13% |
| Tatau | 31,981 | -0.03% |
| Tebedu | 25,964 | 0.51% |
| Beluru | 25,785 | -1.91% |
| Kanowit | 25,162 | 0.32% |
| Kuala Penyu | 24,952 | 0.92% |
| Lubok Antu | 24,580 | -0.04% |
| Saratok | 23,723 | 0.47% |
| Belaga | 22,480 | -0.04% |
| Dalat | 22,048 | 0.8% |
| Maradong | 21,065 | 0.64% |
| Selangau | 20,891 | 0.95% |
| Pusa | 20,528 | 0.81% |
| Daro | 20,428 | 0.81% |
| Kabong | 19,307 | 0.8% |
| Marudi | 18,146 | -0.7% |
| Telang Usan | 17,540 | 0.11% |
| Matu | 16,420 | 0.06% |
| Pakan | 15,801 | 0.32% |
| Julau | 15,763 | 0.52% |
| Kecil Lojing | 11,678 | 1.65% |
| Bukit Mabong | 10,826 | 1.05% |
| Song | 10,464 | 0.79% |
| Tanjung Manis | 7,880 | -0.13% |
