Poverty and living standards in M.D. Semporna, Malaysia: official figures
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.
Has poverty fallen in Semporna?
In Semporna the share of households below the poverty line was 28.0% in 2022 and 30.4% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Semporna?
The Gini coefficient of household income in Semporna was 0.411 in 2024; 0 means perfect equality and 1 means one household has all income. That is 2nd most unequal 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 Semporna?
The Gini coefficient in Semporna was 0.341 in 2022 and 0.411 in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Poverty in Semporna rose by 2.4 percentage points between the 2022 and 2024 surveys. Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How M.D. Semporna compares with other cities in Malaysia
Households below the poverty line (2024)
M.D. Semporna ranks 1 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | M.D. Semporna | 30.4% |
| 2 | M.D. Kinabatangan | 26.7% |
| 3 | M.D. Kota Belud | 26.1% |
| 4 | M.D. Tuaran | 23.7% |
| 5 | M.P. Sandakan | 15.2% |
| 6 | M.D. Tanah Merah | 14.9% |
| 7 | M.D. Baling | 14.7% |
Gini coefficient of household income (2024)
M.D. Semporna ranks 2 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini coefficient of household income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | 0.426 |
| 2 | M.D. Semporna | 0.411 |
| 3 | M.B. Seremban | 0.368 |
| 4 | M.D. Pasir Mas | 0.365 |
| 5 | M.D. Tanah Merah | 0.363 |
| 6 | M.D. Kota Belud | 0.361 |
| 7 | M.P. Sandakan | 0.355 |
More on M.D. Semporna: 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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