B40, M40 & T20 explained
Malaysia groups households into three income bands ~ B40 (Bottom 40%), M40 (Middle 40%) and T20 (Top 20%), based on the official Household Income Survey.
Updated 30 June 2026 · DOSM Household Income Survey
The thresholds (2022)
B40 — household income up to RM4,850/month (the bottom 40% of households).
M40 — RM4,851 to RM10,960/month (the middle 40%).
T20 — RM10,960 and above/month (the top 20%). The national median household income is RM6,338.
Which group am I in?
Add up your total household gross monthly income (everyone in the home), then compare to the bands above. Note these are national cut-offs — what counts as middle income in Kuala Lumpur can be comfortable in Kelantan, where the median is much lower.
Why it matters
The B40/M40/T20 split is used to target government aid (like cash assistance), subsidies and policy. The thresholds are updated when DOSM runs a new Household Income Survey (roughly every two years).
Common questions
What is B40, M40 and T20 in Malaysia?
They are income groups: B40 is the bottom 40% of households (up to RM4,850/month), M40 the middle 40% (RM4,851–RM10,960), and T20 the top 20% (above RM10,960). Source: DOSM.
What is the B40 income range?
A B40 household earns up to RM4,850 per month in total gross income (2022 thresholds, DOSM).
What is the median household income in Malaysia?
RM6,338 per month in 2022, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Is B40/M40/T20 based on individual or household income?
Household income — the combined gross monthly income of everyone living in the home.
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