A magnetic recording medium is provided that includes a recording layer structure including a first magnetic recording layer, a second magnetic recording layer, a third magnetic recording layer, a fourth magnetic recording layer, and a plurality of nonmagnetic exchange coupling layers. The first magnetic recording layer is closest to a substrate and the fourth magnetic recording layer is farthest from the substrate. An amount of Co in the first magnetic recording layer is greater than or equal to the amount of Co in the second magnetic recording layer, the third magnetic recording layer, and the fourth magnetic recording layer.