Overview

• In September 2025, the number of employed persons continued to rise, increasing by 0.2 per cent (+38.3 thousand persons) to 17.03 million persons from 16.99 million persons in August 2025. The employment-to-population ratio, which indicates the ability of an economy to create employment, remained unchanged at 68.8 per cent in September 2025, consistent with the level recorded in August 2025.

• Employment by economic sectors showed that the number of employed persons in the Services sector continued to increase steadily during the month, primarily in Wholesale and retail trade; Accommodation and food & beverage services; as well as Information and communication activities. Likewise, the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & quarrying and Agriculture sectors also recorded increases in employment.

• The employees’ category continued to be the largest segment of the total employed persons in September 2025, accounting for 74.9 per cent. This category recorded a 0.1 per cent increase (+17.9 thousand persons) to 12.74 million persons (August 2025: 12.73 million persons). The number of own-account workers was also on an increasing trend, with a rise of 0.4 per cent (+12.6 thousand persons) to 3.24 million persons, compared to the previous month (August 2025: 3.22 million persons).

• The number of unemployed persons during the month continued to be on a downtrend, with a decrease of 0.3 per cent (-1.4 thousand persons) to 518.6 thousand persons (August 2025: 520.0 thousand persons), registering a 3.0 per cent unemployment rate, as in the prior month.

• In September 2025, the labour force sustained its growth momentum, increasing by 0.2 per cent (+36.8 thousand persons) month-on-month to 17.54 million persons, compared to 17.51 million persons in the previous month. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) for September 2025 remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, the same as recorded in August 2025.

• The number of persons outside the labour force in September 2025 edged up by 0.1 per cent (+7.8 thousand persons) to 7.21 million persons, compared to 7.20 million persons in August 2025. Housework/ family responsibilities were the major composition of those outside the labour force, accounting for 43.6 per cent of the total. The schooling/ training category ranked second with 40.8 per cent.

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10th November 2025

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Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
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