Kota Bharu Population 2026
Kota Bharu has a population of 568,900, making it the #11 biggest city in 🇲🇾 Malaysia, located in Kelantan. Roughly 1.6% of Malaysia's population lives here. It is about 2.6× smaller than Kuala Lumpur, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
568,900
Rank in Malaysia
#11
Coordinates
6.12°N, 102.24°E
~10 m elevation · Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Distance to capital (Kuala Lumpur)
337 km
209 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Kelantan
| City | Population | Rank in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Pasir Mas | 230,424 | #39 |
| Pasir Puteh | 137,400 | #65 |
| Kuala Krai | 105,007 | #76 |
| Kampong Pangkal Kalong | 39,904 | #171 |
| Tanah Merah | 29,116 | #229 |
| Peringat | 23,288 | #261 |
| Gua Musang | 19,731 | #295 |
| Kampong Kadok | 19,233 | #305 |
Cities near Kota Bharu
- Wakaf Baharu17,033 people · ~5 km away
- Peringat23,288 people · ~11 km away
- Kampong Kadok19,233 people · ~14 km away
- Pasir Mas230,424 people · ~14 km away
- Kampong Pangkal Kalong39,904 people · ~23 km away
- Pasir Puteh137,400 people · ~37 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Kota Bharu?
Kota Bharu has a population of 568,900 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #11 biggest city in Malaysia.
What region is Kota Bharu in?
Kota Bharu is located in Kelantan, Malaysia.
Is Kota Bharu the capital of Malaysia?
No, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, about 337 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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