Poverty and living standards in M.D. Lahad Datu, Malaysia: official figures
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.
Has poverty fallen in Lahad Datu?
In Lahad Datu the share of households below the poverty line was 23.5% in 2022 and 13.6% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Lahad Datu?
The Gini coefficient of household income in Lahad Datu was 0.286 in 2024; 0 means perfect equality and 1 means one household has all income. That is joint 6th most equal 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 inequality rising in Lahad Datu?
The Gini coefficient in Lahad Datu was 0.388 in 2022 and 0.286 in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Poverty in Lahad Datu fell by 9.9 percentage points between the 2022 and 2024 surveys. Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How M.D. Lahad Datu compares with other cities in Malaysia
Households below the poverty line (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 8 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | M.P. Sandakan | 15.2% |
| 6 | M.D. Tanah Merah | 14.9% |
| 7 | M.D. Baling | 14.7% |
| 8 | M.D. Lahad Datu | 13.6% |
| 9 | M.D. Besut | 13.1% |
| 10 | M.D. Keningau | 12.8% |
| 11 | M.D. Tumpat | 12.7% |
Gini coefficient of household income (2024)
M.D. Lahad Datu ranks 31 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini coefficient of household income |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | M.D. Tangkak | 0.306 |
| 29 | M.D. Kerian | 0.305 |
| 30 | M.D. Pasir Puteh | 0.302 |
| 31 | M.D. Lahad Datu | 0.286 |
| 32 | M.P. Bentong | 0.286 |
| 33 | M.D. Marang | 0.281 |
| 34 | M.D. Pekan | 0.277 |
More on M.D. Lahad Datu: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · 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…)
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