Median monthly household income of Malaysians increases to RM5,228 in 2016

He said the mean monthly household income for Malaysians increased 6.2 per cent to RM6,958 in 2016 from RM6,141 in 2014.

"Although the median and mean household income grew higher in 2016, it however, moved at a moderate pace due to the slower economic performance compared to 2014," he said at the ceremony to launch the Household Income and Expenditure Statistics, Malaysia 2016 here, today.

The mean household income for middle 40 per cent (M40) group held the highest growth at 6.9 per cent per annum to RM6,502 in 2016 from RM5,662 in 2014.

Overall, the median household income for all groups of Bottom40 (B40), M40, and Top20 (T20) increased in 2016 by 6.6 per cent, 6.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively from 2014.

Seven states surpassed the national median monthly household income (RM5,228), namely the Federal Territory (FT) Kuala Lumpur (RM9,073) followed by FT Putrajaya (RM8,275), Selangor (RM7,225), FT Labuan (RM5,928), Johor (RM5,652), Melaka (RM5,588) and Penang (RM5,409).

In terms of income distribution, Mohd Uzir said the Gini coefficient measurement showed a decline to 0.399 per cent in 2016 from 0.401 per cent in 2014, indicating an improvement in the Malaysian household income distribution.

A Gini coefficient of zero expresses perfect equality, where all values are the same (for example, where everyone has the same income).

The income disparity ratio also improved where the ratio between the rural and urban setting was 1:1.76 in 2016 from 1:1.78 in 2014.

The incidence of poverty decreased to 0.4 per cent in 2016 from 0.6 per cent in 2014.

Revealing the findings, Mohd Uzir said the survey also covered data from the district levels.

"For the first time, we have included data on the districts of all states. It can be used to help state governments, district offices and organisations plan and address social and economic development, more efficiently," he added.

Meanwhile, on consumption expenditure, he said Malaysians spent an average of RM4,033 per month, an increase of 6.0 per cent from 2014.

"Almost 70 per cent was spent on four main groups, namely housing, water, electricity, gas

"Given the challenging economic environment and volatility of prices of goods in the country, these results for the income and expenditure of Malaysians is commendable.

"It reflects that Malaysia is on track to achieving the aspirations of the National Transformation 2050, despite registering a higher inflation rate of about 3.5 per cent in August," Mohd Uzir added.

The 18th series of the survey report which involved 85,400 household premises throughout the country was conducted from May 2016 to April 2017.

For more information on the statistics, visit www.dosm.gov.my.