Overview

• In May 2025, the number of employed persons was on an uptrend, increasing by 0.3 per cent (+43.8 thousand persons) to reach 16.86 million persons as against the prior month (April 2025: 16.82 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator of an economy’s ability to create employment, increased by 0.1 percentage points to 68.7 per cent (April 2025: 68.6 per cent). 

• Looking at the performance of employment by economic sectors, the number of employed persons in the Services sector showed a consistent upward trend, particularly in Accommodation and food & beverage services; Wholesale and retail trade; and Transportation & storage activities. On the same note, the Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, and Mining & quarrying sectors also recorded an increasing number of employed persons during the month.

• In May 2025, 75.1 per cent of the total employed persons were in the employees’ category. This category posted an increase of 0.2 per cent (+24.6 thousand persons) to 12.66 million persons compared to 12.63 million in April 2025. A similar trend was also observed in the number of own-account workers, which rose by 0.5 per cent (+14.2 thousand persons) to 3.18 million persons (April 2025: 3.16 million persons).

• The number of unemployed persons in May 2025 decreased further, dropping by 0.7 per cent (-3.5 thousand persons) to 522.4 thousand persons (April 2025: 525.9 thousand persons). May’s unemployment rate remained at 3.0 per cent as recorded last month.

• In May 2025, the number of the labour force continued its upward trend, rising by 0.2 per cent (+40.3 thousand persons) month-on-month to 17.38 million persons (April 2025: 17.34 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) during the month was unchanged at 70.8 per cent as in the previous month.

• During the month, the number of persons outside the labour force increased by 0.1 per cent (+7.4 thousand persons) to 7.18 million persons compared to 7.17 million persons in April 2025. Housework/ family responsibilities were the largest component of the outside labour force, with a share of 43.7 per cent, followed by the schooling/ training category at 41.0 per cent.

The full publication of the Labour Force Report, May 2025 can be downloaded through eStatistik Portal

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10 JULY 2025

For interviews, press statement and clarification to the media, contact:
Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8090 4681

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