M.D. Tanah Merah: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in M.D. Tanah Merah: Households in Tanah Merah had a mean gross monthly income of RM4,922 in 2024 (Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Ringgit Malaysia). That is 2nd lowest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Health in M.D. Tanah Merah: Life expectancy at birth in Tanah Merah is 73.9 years in the 2026 district estimate. That is joint 18th highest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Education in M.D. Tanah Merah: Tanah Merah had 34 government primary schools in mid-2025 (Ministry of Education). That is joint 6th lowest of 38 among the 38 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Poverty and living standards in M.D. Tanah Merah: The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey puts the poverty rate in Tanah Merah at 14.9% of households, meaning households with monthly income below the national Poverty Line Income. That is 6th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
What is the population of Tanah Merah?
Tanah Merah (Tanah Merah district, which has the same boundary as the M.D. Tanah Merah council area) had an estimated 159,800 residents in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. That is 13th lowest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow much has the population of Tanah Merah grown since 2020?
The 2020 Population and Housing Census counted 150,800 people in Tanah Merah; the 2025 estimate is +6.0% on that.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Tanah Merah?
In 2025, 27.3% of residents of Tanah Merah were aged 0 to 14 and 7.4% were aged 65 or over.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Tanah Merah?
Bumiputera made up 93.1% of the population of Tanah Merah in 2025, and non-citizens 3.3%, in the official estimate by ethnic group.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWho runs M.D. Tanah Merah?
In Malaysia, cities and towns are run by local authorities: Mayor or president and councillors appointed by the state government (federal ministry for the territories); no local elections. Planning, waste, local roads, licensing, markets, property tax (assessment rates).
How local power works in Malaysia
Cities of a similar size in Malaysia
- M.D. Kerian 169,800
- M.P. Dungun 169,800
- M.D. Tangkak 169,200
- M.D. Bachok 167,500
- M.D. Besut 167,400
- M.D. Penampang 166,600
- M.D. Kinabatangan 164,300
- M.D. Keningau 157,700
- M.D. Baling 149,000
- M.D. Pasir Puteh 144,600
- M.D. Tuaran 142,800
- M.D. Pekan 129,300
- M.D. Marang 128,600
Up a level: all cities in Malaysia · Malaysia · government and power
Sources
- National Registration Department and Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Annual Deaths by District and Sex, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a51e3bed0cca…)
- Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Household Income and Expenditure: Administrative Districts (Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022 and 2024), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7a2a6ec4cc0f…)
- Department of Statistics Malaysia with the National Registration Department (OpenDOSM): Life Expectancy by District and Sex, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 394468eb923a…)
- Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Annual Principal Labour Force Statistics by District (Labour Force Survey), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a29fb0bc348f…)
- Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Population Table: Administrative Districts (2020 to 2026, by sex, age group and ethnicity), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2c7caf2fc4bd…)
- Ministry of Education Malaysia (published on data.gov.my and OpenDOSM): Public Education Institutions by District, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22a8ac4b1fa4…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.