Economy, jobs and prices in M.P. Sandakan, Malaysia: official figures
Households in Sandakan had a mean gross monthly income of RM6,648 in 2024 (Household Income and Expenditure Survey, Ringgit Malaysia). That is 17th 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 Sandakan?
The median gross monthly household income in Sandakan was RM5,314 in 2024: half of households earned less and half more. That is 19th 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 Sandakan spend each month?
Households in Sandakan spent a mean of RM3,677 a month in 2024. That is 12th 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 Sandakan?
Mean monthly household income in Sandakan was RM6,030 in 2022 and RM6,648 in 2024, a change of +10.2% over the two survey years.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Sandakan?
The unemployment rate in Sandakan was 6.8% in 2024 (Labour Force Survey). 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 copyHow many people are employed in Sandakan?
About 243,800 people in Sandakan were in work in 2024, out of a labour force of 261,500. 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 copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Sandakan?
The labour force participation rate in Sandakan was 73.0% in 2024: the share of people aged 15 to 64 who were working or looking for work. That is 5th 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 Sandakan?
Unemployment in Sandakan was 6.9% in 2023 and 6.8% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Median monthly household income in Sandakan moved from RM4,828 in 2022 to RM5,314 in 2024 (+10.1%). Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How M.P. Sandakan compares with other cities in Malaysia
Mean gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 17 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Mean gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | M.B. Kuantan | RM7,008 |
| 15 | M.D. Marang | RM6,807 |
| 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 |
Median gross monthly household income (RM) (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 19 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median gross monthly household income (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 20 | M.P. Kubang Pasu | RM5,312 |
| 21 | M.P. Bentong | RM5,015 |
| 22 | M.D. Kinabatangan | RM4,897 |
Unemployment rate (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 7 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 10 | M.D. Machang | 4.9% |
Labour force participation rate (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 5 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Labour force participation rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | D.B. Kota Kinabalu | 76.2% |
| 3 | M.P. Kuala Langat | 74.8% |
| 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% |
More on M.P. Sandakan: 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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