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This uptick was in line with the prevailing economic performance in Malaysia which is projected to continue to improve. supported by resilient domestic demand.
Malaysia's labour market recorded a 1.4% increase in job numbers during the first quarter of 2025, reaching 9.06mn jobs, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia's (DOSM) Employment Statistics, First Quarter of 2025 report.
Of the total jobs, 97.9% were filled, leaving 2.1% vacant, with the number of filled jobs increasing by 1.4% year-on-year to 8.87mn, compared to 8.75mn in Q1 2024. The 'services' sector experienced the most substantial growth at 1.8%, followed by 'manufacturing' at 1.5%, and 'construction, at 0.5%.
Chief Statistician Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin stated that the increase of 1.4% in jobs, equivalent to 127,000 jobs during Q1 2025, aligned with Malaysia’s improving economic performance, driven by robust domestic demand. He noted that the services sector dominated in filled jobs, accounting for 52.8% or 4.69mn jobs, while the manufacturing and construction sectors held 26.9% and 14.1%, respectively.
Semi-skilled positions comprised the majority of filled jobs at 62.5%. Skilled jobs accounted for 25.2%, and low-skilled roles made up 12.3%. Vacancy numbers rose by 1.2% to 194,100 positions, primarily driven by the manufacturing sector, especially in the electrical, electronic, and optical products subsector.
Job creation statistics showed a 3.4% year-on-year increase, totaling 33,200 new positions, mainly in skilled and semi-skilled categories. The services sector was responsible for 48.1% of these new jobs, with the wholesale and retail trade sub-sector taking the lead. Manufacturing accounted for 36.5% of new job creation, particularly in the electrical, electronic, and optical products sub-sector.
These developments, according to Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, are in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030) objectives, which aim to promote employment growth and improve workforce capabilities in the manufacturing sector. He highlighted the sector’s key role with a reported 1.1% increase in workforce engagement.
Meanwhile, the Government has designated 20 October as National Statistics Day, themed 'Statistics is the Essence of Life.' The upcoming 2025 Fourth World Statistics Day, will focus on 'Driving Change with Quality Statistics and Data for Everyone.'
Lead image / DOSM
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