Tawau Population 2026
Tawau has a population of 372,615, making it the #29 biggest city in 🇲🇾 Malaysia, located in Sabah. Roughly 1.0% of Malaysia's population lives here. It is about 3.9× smaller than Kuala Lumpur, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
372,615
Rank in Malaysia
#29
Coordinates
4.24°N, 117.89°E
~12 m elevation · Asia/Kuching
Distance to capital (Kuala Lumpur)
1,802 km
1,119 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Sabah
| City | Population | Rank in Malaysia |
|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu | 500,421 | #18 |
| Sandakan | 439,050 | #21 |
| 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 Tawau
- Semporna62,641 people · ~84 km away
- Lahad Datu105,622 people · ~99 km away
- Sandakan439,050 people · ~179 km away
- Bandar Nabawan31,807 people · ~185 km away
- Keningau77,650 people · ~227 km away
- Tambunan29,294 people · ~233 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Tawau?
Tawau has a population of 372,615 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #29 biggest city in Malaysia.
What region is Tawau in?
Tawau is located in Sabah, Malaysia.
Is Tawau the capital of Malaysia?
No, the capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur, about 1,802 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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