This statistic shows the unemployment rate in Malaysia from 1999 to 2023. In 2023, the unemployment rate in Malaysia was at approximately 3.87 percent. Unemployment in Malaysia Malaysia’s unemployment is relatively low and stable at around three percent which means the population is experiencing close to full employment. The country reached its lowest level of unemployment in 2014, with a rate of 2.85 percent. Malaysia’s vibrant economy is considered one of the strongest in South_East Asia. Together with years of political stability, it has been supporting such a low unemployment rate and good growth rates each year. Industry has been a strong contributor to GDP and currently provides around 30 percent of employment opportunities. But even more - about 50 percent - of GDP is generated by the services sector. Given the country’s strong and growing economy, average GDP per capita is growing at increasing rates as well. However, despite these positive statistics, news reports state that the number of job seekers and those unemployed – the three percent - are generally young people, both graduates and non-graduates, who have had trouble entering the job market. Because of this, the Malaysian government is encouraging companies to open up employment opportunities specifically to young adults. The favorable economic climate should help. Yet, there have also been some complaints about underemployment and gender discrimination within the country.

In 2023, the employment to population ratio in Malaysia was at 67.7 percent, an increase compared to the previous year. The employment rate in the country has been relatively steady in the last decade, but decreased slightly in 2020 and 2021, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployment Rate in Malaysia remained unchanged at 3.10 percent in January. This dataset provides - Malaysia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2023, approximately 15.81 million people were in employment in Malaysia, out of a labor force of around 16 million people. In that year, the

Unemployment Rate: Johor data was reported at 2.200 % in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.300 % for Sep 2024. Unemployment Rate: Johor data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.850 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.600 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 2.200 % in Dec 2024. Unemployment Rate: Johor data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G010: Employment and Unemployment.

Unemployment Rate: Melaka data was reported at 1.800 % in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.100 % for Sep 2024. Unemployment Rate: Melaka data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.200 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.700 % in Dec 2020 and a record low of 0.585 % in Sep 2017. Unemployment Rate: Melaka data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G010: Employment and Unemployment.

Unemployment Rate: Kelantan data was reported at 3.800 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.700 % for Sep 2024. Unemployment Rate: Kelantan data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.100 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.100 % in Sep 2021 and a record low of 2.999 % in Jun 2017. Unemployment Rate: Kelantan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G010: Employment and Unemployment.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Malaysia was reported at 3.869 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

In 2023, the labor force participation rate for residents in Malaysia with non-Malaysian citizenship was at approximately 87.2 percent. By comparison, the labor force participation rate of Malaysian citizens of other ethinicities was 64.6 percent, the lowest out of all ethnic groups in Malaysia. The labor force participation rate is defined as the percentage of the population working or actively seeking work.

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

Malaysia Unemployment: Female data was reported at 0.214 Person mn in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.240 Person mn for 2022. Malaysia Unemployment: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 0.148 Person mn from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2023, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.279 Person mn in 2021 and a record low of 0.077 Person mn in 1996. Malaysia Unemployment: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G050: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment: Percentage: By Sex & Age.

In 2023, the youth unemployment rate in Malaysia was at 11.98 percent, a slight increase from 11.7 percent the year prior. The unemployment rate of youth in Malaysia was at its highest in 2020 and 2021, likely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Malaysia unemployment rate for 2023 was 3.86%, a 0.08% decline from 2022.

• Malaysia unemployment rate for 2022 was 3.93%, a 0.71% decline from 2021.
• Malaysia unemployment rate for 2021 was 4.64%, a 0.1% increase from 2020.
• Malaysia unemployment rate for 2020 was 4.54%, a 1.28% increase from 2019.

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

Key information about Malaysia Unemployment Rate

• Malaysia Unemployment Rate dropped to 3.10% in Jan 2025, from the previously reported figure of 3.20% in Dec 2024.
• Malaysia Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 2010 to Jan 2025, with an average rate of 3.30%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.20% in May 2020 and a record low of 2.60% in Sep 2014.
• The data is reported by reported by Department of Statistics.
• In the latest reports, Malaysia Population reached 34.06 million people in Dec 2024.

Malaysia youth unemployment rate for 2023 was 12.49%, a 0.06% decline from 2022.

• Malaysia youth unemployment rate for 2022 was 12.55%, a 0.34% increase from 2021.
• Malaysia youth unemployment rate for 2021 was 12.21%, a 0.4% decline from 2020.
• Malaysia youth unemployment rate for 2020 was 12.61%, a 1.34% increase from 2019.

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

In 2023, the number of unemployed people in Malaysia was at approximately 553,400, a decrease by more than 60,000 compared to the previous year. The number of unemployment in the country significantly increased in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self-employed, total (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in Malaysia was reported at 27.64 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Self-employed; total (% of total employed) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Key information about Malaysia Employed Persons

• Malaysia Employed Persons was reported at 16,684,400.000 Person in Jan 2025
• It recorded an increase from the previous number of 16,629,900.000 Person for Dec 2024
• Malaysia Employed Persons data is updated monthly, averaging 14,366,800.000 Person from Jan 2009 to Jan 2025, with 193 observations
• The data reached an all-time high of 16,747,000.000 Person in Nov 2024 and a record low of 10,726,600.000 Person in Mar 2009
• Malaysia Employed Persons data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data
• The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table: Employed Persons: Monthly

CEIC extends history for monthly Employed Persons. The Department of Statistics provides Employed Persons based on current population. Employed Persons prior to January 2010 are based on population projections.

This dataset provides values for UNEMPLOYMENT RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 2023, Sabah and W.P. Labuan in East Malaysia had the highest unemployment rate with 7.5 and 6.8 percent respectively. By comparison, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya had the lowest unemployment rate at 0.8 percent.