Sandakan Population 2026
Sandakan has a population of 439,050, making it the #21 biggest city in 🇲🇾 Malaysia, located in Sabah. Roughly 1.2% of Malaysia's population lives here. It is about 3.3× smaller than Kuala Lumpur, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
439,050
Rank in Malaysia
#21
Coordinates
5.84°N, 118.12°E
~10 m elevation · Asia/Kuching
Distance to capital (Kuala Lumpur)
1,846 km
1,146 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Sabah
| City | Population | Rank in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 500,421 | #18 |
| 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 |
| Bandar Labuan | 54,752 | #134 |
Cities near Sandakan
- Lahad Datu105,622 people · ~94 km away
- Semporna62,641 people · ~161 km away
- Ranau19,294 people · ~161 km away
- Tawau372,615 people · ~179 km away
- Tambunan29,294 people · ~191 km away
- Bandar Nabawan31,807 people · ~207 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Sandakan?
Sandakan has a population of 439,050 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #21 biggest city in Malaysia.
What region is Sandakan in?
Sandakan is located in Sabah, Malaysia.
Is Sandakan the capital of Malaysia?
No, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, about 1,846 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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