Poverty and living standards in M.P. Sandakan, Malaysia: official figures
The 2024 Household Income and Expenditure Survey puts the poverty rate in Sandakan at 15.2% of households, meaning households with monthly income below the national Poverty Line Income. That is 5th highest of 37 among the 37 city and district council areas on this site that have district statistics.
Has poverty fallen in Sandakan?
In Sandakan the share of households below the poverty line was 17.7% in 2022 and 15.2% in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyHow unequal is income in Sandakan?
The Gini coefficient of household income in Sandakan was 0.355 in 2024; 0 means perfect equality and 1 means one household has all income. That is 7th 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 Sandakan?
The Gini coefficient in Sandakan was 0.347 in 2022 and 0.355 in 2024.
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copyMore figures
- Poverty in Sandakan fell by 2.5 percentage points between the 2022 and 2024 surveys. Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (OpenDOSM) · saved copy
How M.P. Sandakan compares with other cities in Malaysia
Households below the poverty line (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 5 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 8 | M.D. Lahad Datu | 13.6% |
Gini coefficient of household income (2024)
M.P. Sandakan ranks 7 of 37, highest first.
| Rank | City | Gini coefficient of household income |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8 | M.P. Kuala Selangor | 0.350 |
| 9 | M.D. Bachok | 0.349 |
| 10 | M.D. Penampang | 0.348 |
More on M.P. Sandakan: 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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