Malakal Population 2026

Malakal has a population of 160,765, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇸🇸 South Sudan, located in Upper Nile. Roughly 1.3% of South Sudan's population lives here. It is about 2.8× smaller than Juba, the country's biggest city.

Location of Malakal (capital Juba shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

160,765

Rank in South Sudan

Coordinates

9.53°N, 31.66°E

~400 m elevation · Africa/Juba

Distance to capital (Juba)

521 km

324 miles, straight line

Cities near Malakal

Leer17,827 people · ~216 km away
Bor26,782 people · ~370 km away
Rumbek32,083 people · ~374 km away
Gogrial44,600 people · ~406 km away
Tonj17,338 people · ~413 km away
Kuacjok78,000 people · ~427 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Malakal?

Malakal has a population of 160,765 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in South Sudan.

What region is Malakal in?

Malakal is located in Upper Nile, South Sudan.

Is Malakal the capital of South Sudan?

No, the capital of South Sudan is Juba, about 521 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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