Sibu Population 2026

Sibu has a population of 198,239, making it the #50 biggest city in 🇲🇾 Malaysia, located in Sarawak. Roughly 0.5% of Malaysia's population lives here. It is about 7.3× smaller than Kuala Lumpur, the country's biggest city.

Location of Sibu (capital Kuala Lumpur shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

198,239

Rank in Malaysia

#50

Coordinates

2.30°N, 111.82°E

Asia/Kuching

Distance to capital (Kuala Lumpur)

1,129 km

701 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Sarawak

City	Population	Rank in Malaysia
Kuching	402,738	#26
Miri	300,543	#33
Bintulu	151,617	#56
Marudi	90,100	#89
Serian	58,059	#129
Bau	52,643	#138
Niah	48,875	#147
Sri Aman	47,313	#151

Cities near Sibu

Sibu Jaya35,000 people · ~18 km away
Maradong20,299 people · ~33 km away
Julau15,333 people · ~33 km away
Sarikei44,039 people · ~39 km away
Kanowit24,700 people · ~43 km away
Pakan15,462 people · ~49 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Sibu?

Sibu has a population of 198,239 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #50 biggest city in Malaysia.

What region is Sibu in?

Sibu is located in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Is Sibu the capital of Malaysia?

No, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, about 1,129 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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