M.D. Semporna: population and official figures

In depth

Economy, jobs and prices in M.D. Semporna: Households in Semporna had a mean gross monthly income of RM5,604 in 2024 (Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Ringgit Malaysia). That is 14th lowest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Health in M.D. Semporna: Life expectancy at birth in Semporna is 73.0 years in the 2026 district estimate. That is joint 15th lowest of 39 among the 39 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Education in M.D. Semporna: Semporna had 41 government primary schools in mid-2025 (Ministry of Education). That is 12th 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. Semporna: The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey puts the poverty rate in Semporna at 30.4% of households, meaning households with monthly income below the national Poverty Line Income. That is the highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.

What is the population of Semporna?

Semporna (Semporna district, which has the same boundary as the M.D. Semporna council area) had an estimated 201,000 residents in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. That is 16th 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 copy

How much has the population of Semporna grown since 2020?

The 2020 Population and Housing Census counted 166,600 people in Semporna; the 2025 estimate is +20.6% on that.

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy

What is the age structure of Semporna?

In 2025, 24.7% of residents of Semporna were aged 0 to 14 and 4.8% were aged 65 or over.

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy

What is the ethnic make-up of Semporna?

Bumiputera made up 53.0% of the population of Semporna in 2025, and non-citizens 45.7%, in the official estimate by ethnic group.

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy

Who runs M.D. Semporna?

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. Miri 257,600
M.P. Manjung 256,100
M.P. Kubang Pasu 254,100
M.D. Lahad Datu 252,400
M.D. Pasir Mas 242,800
M.P. Kemaman 234,800
M.D. Tumpat 191,100
M.P. Temerloh 178,600
M.P. Pontian 177,800
M.D. Kerian 169,800
M.P. Dungun 169,800
M.D. Tangkak 169,200
M.D. Bachok 167,500

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.