Population Distribution and Density

Population distribution

Population distribution is the way people are spread across an area. In Malaysia the distribution is uneven. Lowlands, coastal areas and large cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru have many people, while highlands such as the Titiwangsa Range and thick forest areas have few.

Population density

Population density is the number of people living in each square kilometre of land. It tells us whether an area is crowded or sparsely settled.

Densely populated areas usually have flat land, plenty of jobs, good transport and services. The west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is densely populated because it is flat and has ports and industrial zones. In contrast, highlands, swamps and thick forests are sparsely populated because it is hard to build houses and roads there. The interior of Sabah and Sarawak, which is mountainous and covered in forest, has a low density, while their coastal towns have a higher density.

Population density is affected by both physical factors (relief, climate and soil) and human factors (jobs, transport and services). Knowing an area's density helps the government plan schools, clinics, roads and housing so that services match the number of people who live there.