Malaysia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Malaysia?

Malaysia's unemployment rate was 2.9% in August 2026, down from 3.0% in July, according to DOSM labour force statistics. There were 511.6 thousand unemployed people out of a labour force of 17.39 million.

The figure comes from the monthly Labour Force Survey and follows the International Labour Organization definition: people without work who are available for and seeking work. The labour force participation rate, the share of working-age people who are working or looking for work, was 71.0%.

Official sources: DOSM: Labour force statistics, August 2026

What is youth unemployment in Malaysia?

The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 in Malaysia was 10.2% in June 2026, according to DOSM data on the open data portal. About 292,200 people in that age group were unemployed. For ages 15 to 30 the rate was 6.3%.

Youth rates are higher than the overall rate of about 3% in the monthly labour force release. Many 15 to 24 year olds are students and are counted outside the labour force, so the rate refers only to those working or looking for work.

Official sources: data.gov.my: Youth unemployment · DOSM: Labour force statistics, August 2026

What is the median salary in Malaysia?

The median monthly wage of formal-sector employees in Malaysia was about RM3,027 in March 2026, according to DOSM formal sector wages dashboard, with data as of the first quarter of 2026. By state it ranged from about RM1,830 in Kelantan to RM4,527 in Kuala Lumpur.

The median is the middle wage: half of employees earn less and half earn more, so it is less affected by very high earners than the average. The dashboard covers employees in the formal sector, not the self-employed or informal workers. Monthly figures in the dashboard tend to be higher in December and January.

Official sources: OpenDOSM: Formal sector wages

What is the minimum wage in Malaysia?

Malaysia's minimum wage is RM1,700 a month. In the Budget 2027 speech, tabled on 9 October 2026, the government said it will rise to RM2,000 from June 2027, benefiting more than 4 million workers, with firms with annual sales below RM50 million exempted.

The speech also announced a minimum wage of RM2,500 a month for semi-skilled workers and graduates as part of a reform of the workers' income framework. The minimum wage is gross pay before employee contributions. The Ministry of Human Resources, which administers the minimum wage order, had a website that could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Budget 2027 speech

How much is the minimum wage in Malaysia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is 1,500 MYR a month (about $328). No year since 2013 has been higher.

What is the average monthly salary in Malaysia?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Malaysia was $698 a month in 2020. Since 2012 it has ranged from $592 a month (2015) to $778 a month (2019). It is 6th highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $594 a month. Worldwide: 49th of 93.

What is the unemployment rate in Malaysia?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Malaysia was 3.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 4.6%; its low point was 2014, at 2.9%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.9%, and Malaysia placed 9th highest of 24. Worldwide: 113th of 174.

How many young people in Malaysia are unemployed?

12.0%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Malaysia for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.8% (2014) to 12.4% (2020). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 7.5%, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 88th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Malaysia?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Malaysia was 66.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 66.2%; its low point was 2005, at 60.3%. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 65.3%, and Malaysia placed 11th highest of 24. Worldwide: 50th of 174.

What share of women in Malaysia are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Malaysia was 51.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 42.6% (2005) to 51.8% (2019). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.3%, and Malaysia placed 17th highest of 24. Worldwide: 100th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Malaysia?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Malaysia was 63.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 58.1% (2005) to 63.7% (2019). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 63.1%, and Malaysia placed 12th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 44th of 174.

How many workers in Malaysia are self-employed or family workers?

21.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Malaysia for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 18th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 40.0%. Worldwide: 112th of 174.

What share of jobs in Malaysia are salaried?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Malaysia was 74.6%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.8%, and Malaysia placed 7th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 61st of 174.