The population of Sarawak is extremely rich in diversity and culture.  Out of the total population of 2.021 million in 1999, the major races are indigenous ethnic groups, Chinese, and Malay.   majority consists of various ethnic groups.  The main ethnic groups are Ibans, Bidayuhs, Dayaks, and Melanau. 

The Ibans and Dayaks are mostly located within the midland and mountainous interior regions, in the Sri Aman, Sibu, Miri and Kapit Divisions, the Bidayuhs in the rural areas of the Kuching Divisions, the Melanaus in the coastal areas in the Sibu, Sarikei and Bintulu Divisions, the Malays in the coastal areas of Kuching Samarahan and Sri Aman Divisions, and the Chinese in mostly urban centres throughout the state such as in Kuching, the capital, and Miri.  The other indigenous groups, which are collectively known as Orang Ulu, can be found in the interior area of Miri, Kapit and Limbang Divisions.