Economy, jobs and prices in D.B. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: official figures
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.
What is the median household income in Kota Kinabalu?
The median gross monthly household income in Kota Kinabalu was RM5,896 in 2024: half of households earned less and half more. That is 13th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow much do households in Kota Kinabalu spend each month?
Households in Kota Kinabalu spent a mean of RM4,726 a month in 2024. That is 12th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow fast has household income grown in Kota Kinabalu?
Mean monthly household income in Kota Kinabalu was RM8,388 in 2022 and RM8,715 in 2024, a change of +3.9% over the two survey years.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Kota Kinabalu?
The unemployment rate in Kota Kinabalu was 5.9% in 2024 (Labour Force Survey). That is 8th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow many people are employed in Kota Kinabalu?
About 274,600 people in Kota Kinabalu were in work in 2024, out of a labour force of 292,000. That is 3rd highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Kota Kinabalu?
The labour force participation rate in Kota Kinabalu was 76.2% in 2024: the share of people aged 15 to 64 who were working or looking for work. That is 2nd highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyIs unemployment rising in Kota Kinabalu?
Unemployment in Kota Kinabalu was 5.7% in 2023 and 5.9% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Median monthly household income in Kota Kinabalu moved from RM5,957 in 2022 to RM5,896 in 2024 (-1.0%). Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How D.B. Kota Kinabalu compares with other cities in Malaysia
Mean gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
D.B. Kota Kinabalu ranks 5 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | M.P. Kuala Langat | RM11,714 |
| 3 | M.P. Kuala Selangor | RM10,584 |
| 4 | M.P. Kemaman | RM8,973 |
| 5 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | RM8,715 |
| 6 | M.P. Muar | RM8,401 |
| 7 | M.B. Seremban | RM8,395 |
| 8 | M.B. Miri | RM8,166 |
Median gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
D.B. Kota Kinabalu ranks 13 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | M.D. Tangkak | RM6,374 |
| 11 | M.D. Marang | RM6,246 |
| 12 | M.D. Penampang | RM6,090 |
| 13 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | RM5,896 |
| 14 | M.D. Besut | RM5,820 |
| 15 | M.P. Pontian | RM5,685 |
| 16 | M.D. Lahad Datu | RM5,526 |
Unemployment rate (2024)
D.B. Kota Kinabalu ranks 8 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | M.D. Kinabatangan | 8.2% |
| 6 | M.D. Lahad Datu | 7.5% |
| 7 | M.P. Sandakan | 6.8% |
| 8 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | 5.9% |
| 9 | M.D. Penampang | 5.8% |
| 10 | M.D. Machang | 4.9% |
| 11 | M.D. Kerian | 4.2% |
Labour force participation rate (2024)
D.B. Kota Kinabalu ranks 2 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labour force participation rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M.P. Sepang | 76.7% |
| 2 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | 76.2% |
| 3 | M.P. Kuala Langat | 74.8% |
| 4 | M.D. Penampang | 74.4% |
| 5 | M.P. Sandakan | 73.0% |
| 6 | M.B. Miri | 72.9% |
| 7 | M.D. Lahad Datu | 72.4% |
More on D.B. Kota Kinabalu: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Malaysia
Sources
- 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 (OpenDOSM): Annual Principal Labour Force Statistics by District (Labour Force Survey), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a29fb0bc348f…)
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