Key information about Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate

• Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate remained the same rate at 70.6 % in Jan 2025, compared with 70.6 % in the previous month.
• Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 2010 to Jan 2025, with an average rate of 68.1 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 70.6 % in Jan 2025 and a record low of 62.5 % in Feb 2010.
• Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by Department of Statistics.
• In the latest reports, Malaysia Population reached 34.1 million people in Dec 2024.
• Unemployment Rate of Malaysia dropped to 3.1 % in Jan 2025.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 831.3 USD in Dec 2024.

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.

Уровень участия рабочей силы в Малайзии остался неизменным и составил 70,50 процента в ноябре. Текущие значения, исторические данные, прогнозы, статистика, графики и экономический календарь - Малайзия - Уровень экономической активности.

Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 20-24 data was reported at 76.100 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 76.800 % for 2021. Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 20-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 75.100 % from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2022, with 19 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.714 % in 1970 and a record low of 71.800 % in 2020. Malaysia Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: 5-Year Bands: Aged 20-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Malaysia Unemployment Rate: W.P. Putrajaya data was reported at 3.100 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for Sep 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: W.P. Putrajaya data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.289 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.100 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 0.200 % in Mar 2020. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: W.P. Putrajaya 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.

In 2021, the labor force participation rate of divorced women in Malaysia was 73.5 percent. This represented the highest labor force participation rate among women. The labor force participation rate is defined as the percentage of the population working or actively seeking work.

Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Sarawak data was reported at 3.300 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.200 % for Sep 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Sarawak data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.400 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 2.600 % in Jun 2019. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Sarawak 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.

The underrepresentation of women in the labor market in Malaysia is apparent, as evidenced by the employment numbers. As of 2023, there were around six million women employed in the workforce, nearly 40 percent lower compared to the number of employed males in the same year. Traditional gender roles remain a challenge The labor force participation rate of women in Malaysia stood at 56.2 percent in 2023, although it was a slight increase compared to the previous year, the number is still relatively low. One of the main challenges is the traditional gender roles where women are expected to take care of their families. A 2024 survey conducted on working women in Malaysia showed that more than 50 percent of respondents would either take more responsibility or be solely responsible for household chores. This resulted in many women forgoing their career altogether to focus as caregivers. Wage equality in decline The gender pay gap is also an issue that needs to be addressed. Malaysia’s gender gap score for wage equality continuously declined in the past decade. In 2023, the average monthly salary for female employees was about 200 Malaysian ringgit lower compared to the average salary of male employees. By addressing these challenges, Malaysia could have more women in the workforce, which would lead to greater economic contribution for the country.

Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Perlis data was reported at 2.300 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.200 % for Sep 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Perlis data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.450 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.300 % in Jun 2021 and a record low of 2.000 % in Mar 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Perlis 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.

Os dados de Taxa de Participação da Força de Trabalho da Malásia foram registrados em 70.6 % em 2025-01. Este manteve-se constante com relação aos números anteriores de 70.6 % em 2024-12. Os dados de Taxa de Participação da Força de Trabalho da Malásia são atualizados por mês, com uma média de 68.1 % em 2010-01 até 2025-01, com 181 observações. Os dados alcançaram um alto recorde de 70.6 % em 2025-01 e um baixo recorde de 62.5 % em 2010-02. Os dados de Taxa de Participação da Força de Trabalho da Malásia permanecem com status ativo na CEIC e são reportados pela fonte: Department of Statistics. Os dados são classificados sob o Global Database’ Malásia – Table MY.G043: Labour Force Survey: Labour Force: Participation Rates: By Age, Strata & Sex.

Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Kedah data was reported at 1.700 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.600 % for Sep 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Kedah data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.017 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.400 % in Sep 2020 and a record low of 1.600 % in Sep 2024. Malaysia Unemployment Rate: Kedah 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.

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, around 2.5 million people in Malaysian labor force were between the age of 25 and 29 years. This was thus the largest age group actively working or looking for work in Malaysia, followed by the 30 to 34 age group.

Unemployment Rate: Perak data was reported at 3.300 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.100 % for Sep 2024. Unemployment Rate: Perak data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.900 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.400 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 2.500 % in Sep 2018. Unemployment Rate: 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.G010: Employment and Unemployment.

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.

Unemployment Rate: Pulau Pinang data was reported at 2.200 % in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.000 % for Sep 2024. Unemployment Rate: Pulau Pinang data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.226 % from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.300 % in Jun 2020 and a record low of 1.608 % in Mar 2017. Unemployment Rate: Pulau Pinang 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.

In 2023, the youth unemployment rate in Malaysia remained nearly unchanged at around 12.49 percent. In comparison to 2022, the youth unemployment rate decreased not significantly by 0.1 percentage points (-0.8 percent). The youth unemployment rate of a country or region refers to the share of the total workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently without work, but actively searching for employment. It does not include economically inactive persons such as full-time students or the long-term unemployed.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Singapore and Timor-Leste.

Malaysia Labour Force: Sarawak data was reported at 1.291 Person mn in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.260 Person mn for 2016. Malaysia Labour Force: Sarawak data is updated yearly, averaging 1.057 Person mn from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2017, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.291 Person mn in 2017 and a record low of 0.946 Person mn in 2003. Malaysia Labour Force: Sarawak data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Malaysia – Table MY.G029: Labour Force Survey: Labour Force: By Sex & State.

The Global Gender Gap index score for Malaysia in 2024 was 0.67, with a score of 1 being absolute parity and a score of 0 being absolute disparity. This showed a slight decrease from an index score of 0.68 in the previous year. Out of 146 countries included in the gender gap index globally, Malaysia ranked 114th. Malaysia trails behind in Southeast Asia In the Southeast Asia region, Malaysia fell behind in its gender equality, compared to neighboring ASEAN countries like the Philippines and Singapore. The two countries scored 0.78 and 0.73 in the gender gap index in 2024, respectively, among the highest gender equality in Asia Pacific. More women at work One of the largest factors that contributed to gender disparity in Malaysia was women’s participation in the workforce. In 2023, the labor force participation rate for men was 82.3 percent. Their female counterparts, however, only had a labor force participation rate of 56.2 percent. This was likely caused by society’s expectations for women to mainly take care of their family or children. In an effort to change this perception, the Malaysian government announced in October 2024 some initiatives in the Budget 2025 that were targeted to increase women empowerment and encourage more women in the workforce.

Tingkat Partisipasi Angkatan Kerja Malaysia dilaporkan sebesar 70.6 % pada 2025-01. Angka ini tetap dibanding sebelumnya yaitu 70.6 % untuk 2024-12. Data Tingkat Partisipasi Angkatan Kerja Malaysia diperbarui bulanan, dengan rata-rata 68.1 % dari 2010-01 sampai 2025-01, dengan 181 observasi. Data ini mencapai angka tertinggi sebesar 70.6 % pada 2025-01 dan rekor terendah sebesar 62.5 % pada 2010-02. Data Tingkat Partisipasi Angkatan Kerja Malaysia tetap berstatus aktif di CEIC dan dilaporkan oleh Department of Statistics. Data dikategorikan dalam Malaysia Global Database – Table MY.G043: Labour Force Survey: Labour Force: Participation Rates: By Age, Strata & Sex.