M.D. Lahad Datu: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in M.D. Lahad Datu: Households in Lahad Datu had a mean gross monthly income of RM6,557 in 2024 (Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Ringgit Malaysia). That is 19th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Health in M.D. Lahad Datu: Life expectancy at birth in Lahad Datu is 78.8 years in the 2026 district estimate. That is the highest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Education in M.D. Lahad Datu: Lahad Datu had 43 government primary schools in mid-2025 (Ministry of Education). That is 13th lowest of 38 among the 38 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
- Poverty and living standards in M.D. Lahad Datu: The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey puts the poverty rate in Lahad Datu at 13.6% of households, meaning households with monthly income below the national Poverty Line Income. That is 8th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
What is the population of Lahad Datu?
Lahad Datu (Lahad Datu district, which has the same boundary as the M.D. Lahad Datu council area) had an estimated 252,400 residents in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. That is 13th highest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow much has the population of Lahad Datu grown since 2020?
The 2020 Population and Housing Census counted 229,100 people in Lahad Datu; the 2025 estimate is +10.2% on that.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the age structure of Lahad Datu?
In 2025, 22.4% of residents of Lahad Datu were aged 0 to 14 and 6.0% were aged 65 or over.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the ethnic make-up of Lahad Datu?
Bumiputera made up 54.7% of the population of Lahad Datu in 2025, and non-citizens 39.3%, in the official estimate by ethnic group.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWho runs M.D. Lahad Datu?
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.P. Sepang 350,500
- M.P. Kuala Langat 329,100
- M.P. Muar 323,900
- M.P. Kulim 319,056
- M.B. Pasir Gudang 312,437
- M.P. Kuala Selangor 301,700
- M.B. Miri 257,600
- M.P. Manjung 256,100
- M.P. Kubang Pasu 254,100
- M.D. Pasir Mas 242,800
- M.P. Kemaman 234,800
- M.D. Semporna 201,000
- M.D. Tumpat 191,100
- M.P. Temerloh 178,600
- M.P. Pontian 177,800
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.