What share of people in Semporna have a job?

In Semporna, 63.4% of the working-age population was in employment in 2024 (employment-to-population ratio). That is 13th lowest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.

Economy, jobs and prices in M.D. Semporna, Malaysia: official figures

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.

What is the median household income in Semporna?

The median gross monthly household income in Semporna was RM4,059 in 2024: half of households earned less and half more. That is 6th 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 copy

How much do households in Semporna spend each month?

Households in Semporna spent a mean of RM2,567 a month in 2024. That is 2nd 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 copy

How fast has household income grown in Semporna?

Mean monthly household income in Semporna was RM5,098 in 2022 and RM5,604 in 2024, a change of +9.9% over the two survey years.

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

What is the unemployment rate in Semporna?

The unemployment rate in Semporna was 8.4% in 2024 (Labour Force Survey). That is 4th 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 copy

How many people are employed in Semporna?

About 88,800 people in Semporna were in work in 2024, out of a labour force of 96,900. That is 14th 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 copy

What is the labour force participation rate in Semporna?

The labour force participation rate in Semporna was 69.2% in 2024: the share of people aged 15 to 64 who were working or looking for work. That is 17th 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 copy

Is unemployment rising in Semporna?

Unemployment in Semporna was 8.4% in 2023 and 8.4% in 2024.

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

More figures

Median monthly household income in Semporna moved from RM4,093 in 2022 to RM4,059 in 2024 (-0.8%). Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy

How M.D. Semporna compares with other cities in Malaysia

Mean gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)

M.D. Semporna ranks 24 of 37, highest first.

Rank	City	Mean gross monthly household income (RM)
21	M.P. Bentong	RM6,278
22	M.D. Keningau	RM6,033
23	M.D. Kinabatangan	RM5,632
24	M.D. Semporna	RM5,604
25	M.D. Kerian	RM5,590
26	M.P. Temerloh	RM5,521
27	M.D. Tuaran	RM5,388

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

Median gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)

M.D. Semporna ranks 32 of 37, highest first.

Rank	City	Median gross monthly household income (RM)
29	M.D. Tuaran	RM4,277
30	M.D. Bachok	RM4,187
31	M.D. Machang	RM4,156
32	M.D. Semporna	RM4,059
33	M.D. Tumpat	RM3,904
34	M.D. Tanah Merah	RM3,638
35	M.D. Pasir Mas	RM3,591

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

Unemployment rate (2024)

M.D. Semporna ranks 4 of 37, highest first.

Rank	City	Unemployment rate
1	M.D. Tuaran	8.8%
2	M.D. Keningau	8.7%
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%

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

Labour force participation rate (2024)

M.D. Semporna ranks 17 of 37, highest first.

Rank	City	Labour force participation rate
14	M.D. Baling	70.4%
15	M.D. Kerian	69.8%
16	M.P. Muar	69.4%
17	M.D. Semporna	69.2%
18	M.B. Seremban	67.6%
19	M.P. Kemaman	67.5%
20	M.P. Pontian	66.6%

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

More on M.D. Semporna: 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…)

Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.