Economy, jobs and prices in M.D. Lahad Datu, Malaysia: official figures
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.
What is the median household income in Lahad Datu?
The median gross monthly household income in Lahad Datu was RM5,526 in 2024: half of households earned less and half more. That is 16th 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 Lahad Datu spend each month?
Households in Lahad Datu spent a mean of RM3,571 a month in 2024. That is 8th lowest 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 Lahad Datu?
Mean monthly household income in Lahad Datu was RM5,995 in 2022 and RM6,557 in 2024, a change of +9.4% over the two survey years.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Lahad Datu?
The unemployment rate in Lahad Datu was 7.5% in 2024 (Labour Force Survey). That is 6th 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 Lahad Datu?
About 121,600 people in Lahad Datu were in work in 2024, out of a labour force of 131,400. That is 10th 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 Lahad Datu?
The labour force participation rate in Lahad Datu was 72.4% in 2024: the share of people aged 15 to 64 who were working or looking for work. That is 7th 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 Lahad Datu?
Unemployment in Lahad Datu was 7.5% in 2023 and 7.5% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Median monthly household income in Lahad Datu moved from RM4,457 in 2022 to RM5,526 in 2024 (+24.0%). Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How M.D. Lahad Datu compares with other cities in Malaysia
Mean gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 19 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | M.D. Besut | RM6,747 |
| 17 | M.P. Sandakan | RM6,648 |
| 18 | M.P. Manjung | RM6,612 |
| 19 | M.D. Lahad Datu | RM6,557 |
| 20 | M.P. Kubang Pasu | RM6,313 |
| 21 | M.P. Bentong | RM6,278 |
| 22 | M.D. Keningau | RM6,033 |
Median gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 16 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 17 | M.B. Kuantan | RM5,520 |
| 18 | M.P. Manjung | RM5,380 |
| 19 | M.P. Sandakan | RM5,314 |
Unemployment rate (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 6 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | M.D. Kota Belud | 8.7% |
| 4 | M.D. Semporna | 8.4% |
| 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% |
Labour force participation rate (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 7 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labour force participation rate |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 8 | M.D. Keningau | 71.7% |
| 9 | M.D. Sabak Bernam | 71.4% |
| 10 | M.B. Kuantan | 71.1% |
More on M.D. Lahad Datu: 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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