The services sector dominated Malaysia’s employment in 2023, with around 62.41 percent of the labor force working in that sector. The industrial sector held 27.75 percent of workers, close to the ten-year average. Agricultural employment was down to below 10 percent, a decrease from 2007 that was absorbed by the services sector. Employment sector and productivity Comparing the share of employment to gross domestic product (GDP) in each sector, one can see that the industrial sector is most productive per worker in terms of output. This suggests that Malaysia should continue to invest in its industry and focus on increasing its trade surplus, for example. Regional context Malaysia is part of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. While this bloc has a varied level of development as shown by GDP per capita, the overall level of economic growth in the region has been impressive in the past few decades. The increase in the number of internet users furthers Malaysia’s connection to both the regional and global economy. This suggests that the composition of Malaysia’s economy will continue to evolve in the coming years.

In 2024, there were approximately *** million people employed in the manufacturing industry in Malaysia. The number of people employed in this industry has been steadily rising, apart from the slight decline that occurred in 2020.

Employment in industry (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in Malaysia was reported at 27.75 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Employment in industry (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

This dataset shows the Employment in The ICT Industry, 2005 - 2021 value below are estimate Base year Year 2005 2012 2010 2016 value below are preliminary Base year Year 2005 2013 2010 2017 No. of Views : 57

Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 27.437 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27.487 % for 2016. Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 30.126 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.667 % in 1997 and a record low of 27.014 % in 2009. Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Employment in services (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in Malaysia was reported at 62.41 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Employment in services (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Approximately ***** million people were employed in the services industry in Malaysia in 2023. This indicates a steady growth of employee numbers in an industry where they employ the most people in Malaysia.

Employment in industry, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in Malaysia was reported at 19 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Malaysia - Employees, industry, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

As of 2023, employment in the manufacturing sector in Malaysia comprised **** percent of the total employment. This was a slight increase compared to the previous year. The manufacturing sector is one of the most important sectors in Malaysia, and contributed more than *** billion Malaysian ringgit to the GDP in 2023.

Malaysia % Employment: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Perak data was reported at 6.500 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.900 % for 2016. Malaysia % Employment: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Perak data is updated yearly, averaging 7.500 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.900 % in 2013 and a record low of 6.500 % in 2017. Malaysia % Employment: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing: Perak data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G041: Labour Force Survey: Employment: Percentage: By State & Industry.

Malaysia % Employment: Manufacturing: Johor data was reported at 16.700 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 18.000 % for 2016. Malaysia % Employment: Manufacturing: Johor data is updated yearly, averaging 18.000 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.500 % in 2010 and a record low of 16.700 % in 2017. Malaysia % Employment: Manufacturing: 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.G041: Labour Force Survey: Employment: Percentage: By State & Industry.

MALAYSIA : EMPLOYMENT IN PRIMARY COMMODITY SECTOR

MALAYSIA : EMPLOYMENT IN FORESTRY AND TIMBER SECTOR

In 2023, the services industry had the highest number of employees in the informal sector, with around ******* people. This included people employed in the retail trade, accommodation, and food and beverage services. The agriculture industry had the second-highest number of informal employment, at around *******.

In 2023, around *** million people were employed in the tourism sector in Malaysia, an increase from around *** million people employed in the previous year. Tourism is one of Malaysia's biggest sector for employment, making up just under a quarter of all employment.

Malaysia Employment: Female: Rural: Manufacturing data was reported at 0.152 Person mn in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.169 Person mn for 2016. Malaysia Employment: Female: Rural: Manufacturing data is updated yearly, averaging 0.199 Person mn from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.205 Person mn in 2013 and a record low of 0.152 Person mn in 2017. Malaysia Employment: Female: Rural: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G035: Labour Force Survey: Employment: By Sex & Industry.

Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 32.055 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 32.046 % for 2016. Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 32.938 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.804 % in 1997 and a record low of 26.850 % in 1991. Malaysia Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Malaysia Employment: Female: Urban: Mining & Quarrying data was reported at 0.016 Person mn in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.018 Person mn for 2016. Malaysia Employment: Female: Urban: Mining & Quarrying data is updated yearly, averaging 0.015 Person mn from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.018 Person mn in 2016 and a record low of 0.008 Person mn in 2010. Malaysia Employment: Female: Urban: Mining & Quarrying data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G035: Labour Force Survey: Employment: By Sex & Industry.

In 2023, the share of employment in the informal sector, excluding the agricultural sector, out of total employment in Malaysia was *** percent, a slight increase compared to *** percent in 2021. The share of informal employment in Malaysia was at its highest in 2015 when it was at **** percent.

% Employment: Activities of Households as Employers: Negeri Sembilan data was reported at 5.700 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.400 % for 2016. % Employment: Activities of Households as Employers: Negeri Sembilan data is updated yearly, averaging 3.600 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2017, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in 2017 and a record low of 3.300 % in 2010. % Employment: Activities of Households as Employers: Negeri Sembilan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G041: Labour Force Survey: Employment: Percentage: By State & Industry.