PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3% in May, with the number of unemployed persons standing at 513,400, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
DOSM said the country’s labour market showed moderate improvement, supported by stable economic growth, with consistent employment growth recorded and the unemployment rate remaining low despite challenges arising from global supply chain disruptions.
"The labour force continued its upward momentum during the month, increasing 0.1 per cent month-on-month to 17.34 million people from 17.33 million people in the previous month.
"As such, the labour force participation rate remained at 70.9 per cent, unchanged from the previous month,” the department said in a statement on Friday (July 10).
At the same time, DOSM said the number of employed persons continued to increase in May 2026, rising marginally by 0.1 per cent to 16.82 million people, while unemployed persons rose by 0.3 per cent to 513,400 compared with 511,800 in April 2026.
From an economic sector perspective, it said the services sector remained the largest contributor to total employment during the month, driven by wholesale and retail trade activities, accommodation and food and beverage services activities, as well as information and communication activities.
Other major sectors, namely manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and mining and quarrying, also recorded increases in employment in May 2026, the statement said.
According to DOSM, 79.5 per cent of the total unemployed comprised active unemployed persons, referring to those who were available for work and actively looking for employment, with this group increasing by 0.2 per cent to 408,000 people compared with 407,100 people in April 2026.
DOSM also said Malaysia’s labour market is expected to remain resilient in the coming months, supported by favourable domestic economic conditions, continued investment activities and progress in the country’s economic structural transformation.
"While external uncertainties have the potential to affect hiring activities in certain industries, the overall labour market is expected to remain stable.
"Continued efforts to enhance labour productivity, strengthen workforce adaptability and improve the alignment between labour supply and industry demand will remain important in sustaining quality employment opportunities and supporting long-term economic growth,” the statement said.- Bernama
