Papar Population 2026
Papar has a population of 19,278, making it the #304 biggest city in 🇲🇾 Malaysia, located in Sabah. Roughly 0.1% of Malaysia's population lives here. It is about 75× smaller than Kuala Lumpur, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
19,278
Rank in Malaysia
#304
Coordinates
5.73°N, 115.93°E
~6 m elevation · Asia/Kuching
Distance to capital (Kuala Lumpur)
1,605 km
997 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Sabah
| City | Population | Rank in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 500,421 | #18 |
| Sandakan | 439,050 | #21 |
| Tawau | 372,615 | #29 |
| Lahad Datu | 105,622 | #75 |
| Putatan | 78,340 | #98 |
| Donggongon | 78,086 | #99 |
| Keningau | 77,650 | #100 |
| Semporna | 62,641 | #117 |
Cities near Papar
- Kinarut15,716 people · ~16 km away
- Petagas35,844 people · ~24 km away
- Putatan78,340 people · ~26 km away
- Donggongon78,086 people · ~27 km away
- Kota Kinabalu500,421 people · ~31 km away
- Kuala Penyu24,200 people · ~41 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Papar?
Papar has a population of 19,278 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #304 biggest city in Malaysia.
What region is Papar in?
Papar is located in Sabah, Malaysia.
Is Papar the capital of Malaysia?
No, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, about 1,605 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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