Labour Force (Statistics)

Overview

• The labour force continued trending upward in the fourth quarter of 2025, with a rise of 0.8 per cent or 131.6 thousand persons, to register 17.62 million persons (Q3 2025: 17.49 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, as recorded in the third quarter of 2025.
• The number of employed persons continued to record a positive performance in the fourth quarter of 2025, increasing by 0.8 per cent (+133.5 thousand persons) to 17.10 million persons (Q3 2025: 16.97 million persons). On a year-on-year comparison, total employment edged up by 3.3 per cent, or equivalent to an increase of 541.1 thousand persons compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024:16.56 million persons).
• In the fourth quarter of 2025, the number of unemployed persons continued to record a downward trend of 0.4 per cent (-2.0 thousand persons) to 517.9 thousand persons (Q3 2025: 519.9 thousand persons). Moreover, the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since the second quarter of 2014, dropping 0.1 percentage points to 2.9 per cent. Year-on-year comparison showed the number of unemployed persons decreased by 20.8 thousand persons equal to 3.9 per cent, corresponding to a lower unemployment rate of 2.9 per cent, compared to 3.2 per cent in the same quarter of 2024.
• At the national level, the LFPR remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Improvements in labour participation in the market were observed in nine states. Selangor led with the highest LFPR of 78.5 per cent, followed by W.P. Putrajaya 78.2 per cent and W.P. Kuala Lumpur at 75.5 per cent.
• In terms of unemployment rate by state, eight states recorded below the national unemployment rate of 2.9 per cent. During the quarter, Pahang and W.P. Putrajaya posted the lowest unemployment rate at 1.6 per cent, followed by Selangor at 1.8 per cent, Johor and Melaka at 2.5 per cent.

Note: The Labour Force Statistics from first quarter of 2024 are estimated based on the Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020

The full publication of the Labour Force Survey Report, Fourth Quarter 2025 can be downloaded through eStatistic Portal.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

11th FEBRUARY 2026

Infographic

Data

1. Principal Statistics of Labour Force, Malaysia, Fourth Quarter 2025

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