D.B. Kota Kinabalu: population and official figures

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in D.B. Kota Kinabalu: Households in Kota Kinabalu had a mean gross monthly income of RM8,715 in 2024 (Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Ringgit Malaysia). That is 5th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
• Health in D.B. Kota Kinabalu: Life expectancy at birth in Kota Kinabalu is 78.3 years in the 2026 district estimate. That is 3rd highest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
• Education in D.B. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu had 58 government primary schools in mid-2025 (Ministry of Education). That is joint 14th highest of 38 among the 38 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
• Poverty and living standards in D.B. Kota Kinabalu: The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey puts the poverty rate in Kota Kinabalu at 12.0% of households, meaning households with monthly income below the national Poverty Line Income. That is 12th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.

Who runs D.B. Kota Kinabalu?

In Malaysia, cities and towns are run by local authorities: Mayor or president and councillors appointed by the state government (federal ministry for the territories); no local elections. Planning, waste, local roads, licensing, markets, property tax (assessment rates).

How local power works in Malaysia

Cities of a similar size in Malaysia

• M.B. Seberang Perai 946,092
• M.B. Subang Jaya 902,086
• M.P. Klang 902,025
• M.B. Johor Bahru 858,118
• M.B. Shah Alam 812,327
• M.B. Pulau Pinang 794,313
• M.B. Petaling Jaya 771,687
• M.P. Selayang 764,327
• M.B. Ipoh 759,952
• M.B. Seremban 716,500
• M.B. Kuantan 576,300
• M.B. Iskandar Puteri 575,977
• M.P. Sungai Petani 545,053
• M.P. Ampang Jaya 531,904
• M.P. Sandakan 503,700
• M.B. Melaka Bersejarah 453,904

Up a level: all cities in Malaysia · Malaysia · government and power

Sources

• National Registration Department and Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Annual Deaths by District and Sex, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a51e3bed0cca…)
• Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Household Income and Expenditure: Administrative Districts (Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022 and 2024), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7a2a6ec4cc0f…)
• Department of Statistics Malaysia with the National Registration Department (OpenDOSM): Life Expectancy by District and Sex, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 394468eb923a…)
• Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Annual Principal Labour Force Statistics by District (Labour Force Survey), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a29fb0bc348f…)
• Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM): Population Table: Administrative Districts (2020 to 2026, by sex, age group and ethnicity), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2c7caf2fc4bd…)
• Ministry of Education Malaysia (published on data.gov.my and OpenDOSM): Public Education Institutions by District, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 22a8ac4b1fa4…)

Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.