Overview

• The number of employed persons in April 2026 continued to record modest growth, rising by 0.1 per cent (+11.8 thousand persons) to 16.82 million persons, compared to the prior month  (March 2026: 16.80 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, which reflects the economy’s capacity to create jobs, remained at 68.8 per cent in April 2026, unchanged from the preceding month. 

• From an economic sector perspective, the Services sector remained the primary contributor to total employed persons, with the majority engaged in the Wholesale and retail trade; Accommodation and food & beverage service activities; and Information & communication. The number of employed persons in the Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, and Mining & quarrying sectors likewise recorded positive growth during the month. 

• The employees’ category constituted 75.0 per cent of the total employed persons in April 2026. The number of employees’ increased marginally by 0.05 per cent (+6.3 thousand persons) to 12.61 million persons, compared with 12.60 million persons in March 2026. Likewise, the number of own-account workers continued to trend upward and rose by 0.2 per cent (+6.2 thousand persons) to 3.15 million persons from 3.14 million persons a month earlier. 

• In April 2026, the number of unemployed persons was on an uptrend, increasing by 0.6 per cent (+2.9 thousand persons) to 511.8 thousand persons from 509.0 thousand persons in the previous month. As a result, the unemployment rate during the month rose by 0.1 percentage points to  3.0 per cent (March 2026: 2.9%), returning to the level recorded in October 2025.  

• The labour force continued to trend up in April 2026, rising by 0.1 per cent, or the equivalent of 14.6 thousand persons to 17.33 million persons (March 2026: 17.31 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) stood at 70.9 per cent, unchanged from last month.  

• The number of persons outside the labour force in April 2026 declined marginally by 0.01 per cent  (-0.4 thousand persons) to 7.10 million persons, compared to the previous month (March 2026:  7.10 million persons). Housework/ family responsibilities remained the primary reason for being outside the labour force, constituting 43.3 per cent, followed by the schooling/ training reason with 40.5 per cent. 

The full publication of the Labour Force Report, April 2026 can be downloaded through eStatistik Portal

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

11th June 2026

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Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
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