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Malaysia · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

67th of 185 · 19th in East Asia & Pacific
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UnemploymentMalaysia's unemployment rose from 2.5 % in 1996 to 3.8 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020252%3%4%5%3.8 %

Malaysia's unemployment rose from 2.5 % in 1996 to 3.8 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

90th of 183 · 21st in East Asia & Pacific
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Youth unemploymentMalaysia's youth unemployment rose from 7.8 % in 1996 to 12.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020258%10%12%12.0 %

Malaysia's youth unemployment rose from 7.8 % in 1996 to 12.0 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

51st of 182 · 12th in East Asia & Pacific
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ParticipationMalaysia's participation rose from 58.2 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%64%66%68%66.1 %

Malaysia's participation rose from 58.2 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

104th of 182 · 20th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Malaysia's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 38.4 % in 1996 to 51.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202535%40%45%50%55%51.6 %

Malaysia's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 38.4 % in 1996 to 51.6 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

45th of 182 · 13th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Malaysia's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 56.7 % in 1996 to 63.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%64%66%63.6 %

Malaysia's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 56.7 % in 1996 to 63.6 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

35th of 182 · 9th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force, totalMalaysia's labour force, total rose from 7.82M in 1996 to 18.7M in 2025.20002005201020152020202510M15M20M18.7M

Malaysia's labour force, total rose from 7.82M in 1996 to 18.7M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

114th of 182 · 18th in East Asia & Pacific
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Malaysia's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 30.3 % in 1996 to 25.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202526%28%30%25.4 %

Malaysia's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 30.3 % in 1996 to 25.4 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

71st of 182 · 12th in East Asia & Pacific
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Malaysia's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 27.1 % in 1996 to 21.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202522%24%26%28%21.9 %

Malaysia's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 27.1 % in 1996 to 21.9 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

110th of 182 · 18th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Malaysia's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 16.1 % in 1996 to 9.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020258%10%12%14%16%18%9.2 %

Malaysia's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 16.1 % in 1996 to 9.2 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

37th of 182 · 4th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Malaysia's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 33.5 % in 1996 to 26.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202524%26%28%30%32%34%36%26.0 %

Malaysia's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 33.5 % in 1996 to 26.0 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

79th of 182 · 12th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Malaysia's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 50.3 % in 1996 to 64.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202545%50%55%60%65%70%64.9 %

Malaysia's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 50.3 % in 1996 to 64.9 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

55th of 168 · 9th in East Asia & Pacific
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Malaysia's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $48.6k in 1996 to intl $70.8k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $40kintl $50kintl $60kintl $70kintl $70.8k

Malaysia's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $48.6k in 1996 to intl $70.8k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Malaysia.

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