Malaysia’s unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in September 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The number of unemployed persons rose 0.3% month-on-month to 513.2 thousand, while total employment increased 0.1% to 16.89 million. The labor force also grew 0.1% to 17.40 million, while the number of people outside the labor force was broadly unchanged at 7.10 million from 7.11 million previously. Both the labor force participation rate and the employment-to-population ratio were stable at 71.0% and 68.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 held at 10.1%, with 293.1 thousand individuals unemployed. In September 2025, the jobless rate was at 3%. source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

Unemployment Rate in Malaysia remained unchanged at 2.90 percent in September. 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 November of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Malaysia remained unchanged at 2.90 percent in September. Unemployment Rate in Malaysia is expected to be 3.10 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
2026-10-09 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 2.9% 3.0% 3.0%
2026-11-11 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 2.9% 2.9% 3.00%
2026-12-11 04:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Oct 2.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 16889.50 16874.40 Thousand Sep 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 71.00 71.00 percent Sep 2026
Population 34.20 34.06 Million Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 513.20 511.60 Thousand Sep 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.90 2.90 percent Sep 2026
Wages 3167.00 3045.00 MYR/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 3568.00 3519.00 MYR/Month Sep 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
2.90 2.90 5.30 2.70 1998 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
Malaysia Jobless Rate Holds Steady at 2.9%
Malaysia’s unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in September 2026, unchanged from the previous month. The number of unemployed persons rose 0.3% month-on-month to 513.2 thousand, while total employment increased 0.1% to 16.89 million. The labor force also grew 0.1% to 17.40 million, and the number of people outside the labor force was broadly unchanged at 7.10 million from 7.11 million previously. Both the labor force participation rate and the employment-to-population ratio were stable at 71.0% and 68.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 held at 10.1%, with 293.1 thousand individuals unemployed. In September 2025, the jobless rate was at 3%.
2026-11-11
Malaysia Jobless Rate Edges Down to 2.9% in August
Malaysia’s unemployment rate inched down to 2.9% in August 2026 from 3.0% in the previous four months, moving away from its highest level since October 2025. The number of unemployed persons decreased to 511.6 thousand from 520.3 thousand in the previous month, while total employment was little changed at 16.87 million, indicating continued softness in the labor market. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 years declined to 10.1%, with 291.3 thousand unemployed persons. The labor force was little changed at 17.39 million, with the labor force participation rate edging up to 71.0% from 70.9%. The number of people outside the labor force remained at 7.11 million.
2026-10-09
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