Malaysia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.0% in July 2026, unchanged from the previous three months and remaining at its highest level since October 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased to 520.3 thousand from 517.8 thousand in the previous month, while total employment was little changed at 16.85 million, indicating continued softness in the labor market. The services sector remained the primary contributor to total employment during the month, particularly in arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodation and food & beverage service activities, as well as financial and insurance activities. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 years remained at 10.2%, with 292.5 thousand unemployed persons. The labor force was little changed at 17.37 million, with the labor force participation rate remaining stable at 70.9%. The number of people outside the labor force stayed at 7.11 million. source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

Unemployment Rate in Malaysia remained unchanged at 3 percent in July. Unemployment Rate in Malaysia averaged 3.41 percent from 1998 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 5.30 percent in May of 2020 and a record low of 2.70 percent in August of 2012. This page provides - Malaysia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Malaysia Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on September of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Malaysia remained unchanged at 3 percent in July. Unemployment Rate in Malaysia is expected to be 3.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Malaysia Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 3.10 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-08-11 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jun 3.0% 3.0% 3.00%
2026-09-11 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jul 3.0% 3.0% 3.0%
2026-10-09 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 3.0%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 16845.60 16827.10 Thousand Jul 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 70.90 70.90 percent Jul 2026
Population 34.20 34.06 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 520.30 517.80 Thousand Jul 2026
Unemployment Rate 3.00 3.00 percent Jul 2026
Wages 3167.00 3045.00 MYR/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 3527.00 3547.00 MYR/Month Jul 2026


Malaysia Unemployment Rate
In Malaysia, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.00 3.00 5.30 2.70 1998 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Malaysia Jobless Rate Steady for 4th Month
Malaysia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.0% in July 2026, unchanged from the previous three months and remaining at its highest level since October 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased to 520.3 thousand from 517.8 thousand in the previous month, while total employment was little changed at 16.85 million, indicating continued softness in the labor market. The services sector remained the primary contributor to total employment during the month, particularly in arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodation and food & beverage service activities, as well as financial and insurance activities. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 years remained at 10.2%, with 292.5 thousand unemployed persons. The labor force was little changed at 17.37 million, with the labor force participation rate remaining stable at 70.9%. The number of people outside the labor force stayed at 7.11 million.
2026-09-11
Malaysia Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 3%
Malaysia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.0% in June 2026, unchanged from the previous two months and remaining at its highest level since October 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased to 517.8 thousand from 513.4 thousand in the previous month, indicating continued softness in the labor market. Meanwhile, total employment was little changed at 16.83 million. The services sector remained the primary contributor to total employment during the month, particularly in transportation & storage, accommodation and food & beverage service activities, and wholesale & retail trade activities. The labor force was unchanged at 17.34 million, with the labor force participation rate remaining stable at 70.9%. The number of people outside the labor force was little changed at 7.11 million. Looking ahead, Malaysia’s labor market is expected to remain resilient, supported by relatively stable domestic conditions and continued investment activity.
2026-08-11
Malaysia Jobless Rate Unchanged at Eight-Month High
Malaysia’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.0% in May 2026, unchanged from the previous month and staying at its highest level since October 2025. The number of unemployed persons increased to 513.4 thousand from 511.8 thousand in April, indicating continued softness in the labor market. Meanwhile, total employment was little changed at 16.82 million. The labor force rose marginally to 17.34 million from 17.33 million in April, with the labor force participation rate remaining stable at 70.9%. The number of people outside the labor force was steady at 7.10 million. Looking ahead, Malaysia’s labor market is expected to remain resilient, supported by favourable economic conditions, sustained investment activity and ongoing structural transformation.
2026-07-10