Overview

• The labour force sustained its upward momentum in August 2026, increasing by 0.1 per cent (+20.1 thousand persons) to 17.39 million persons (July 2026: 17.37 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) edged up by 0.1 percentage point to 71.0 per cent (July 2026: 70.9%).
  
  
• Malaysia’s labour market in August 2026 maintained its resilience, as the number of employed persons grew modestly by 0.2 per cent (+28.8 thousand persons) to 16.87 million persons, up from 16.85 million persons in July 2026. The employment-to-population ratio, reflecting the economy’s capacity to generate jobs, rose by 0.1 percentage point to 68.9 per cent, compared to 68.8 per cent in July 2026.

• The employees’ category continued to represent the largest share of the total employed persons, accounting for 74.9 per cent in August 2026. The number of employees’ edged up by 0.1 per cent (+13.5 thousand persons) to 12.63 million persons (July 2026: 12.62 million persons). Similarly, the number of own-account workers recorded a marginal increase of 0.2 per cent (+5.3 thousand persons) to 3.17 million persons (July 2026: 3.16 million persons).

• The number of unemployed in August 2026 declined by 8.7 thousand persons (-1.7%) to 511.6 thousand persons, compared to 520.3 thousand persons in July 2026. The unemployment rate eased by 0.1 percentage point to 2.9 per cent (July 2026: 3.0%).

• The number of persons outside the labour force in August 2026 registered a marginal decline of 0.1 per cent (-4.5 thousand persons) to 7.11 million persons (July 2026: 7.11 million persons). The largest component of the outside labour force was housework/family responsibilities, accounting for 43.6 per cent, followed by the schooling/training category which constituted 40.2 per cent.

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

Released by:
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

9 October 2026

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Baharudin Mohamad
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