Overview

• The number of employed persons remained positive with a month-on-month increase of 0.2 per cent or equivalent to 29.4 thousand persons to record 16.66 million persons in August 2024 (July 2024: 16.63 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, which indicates the ability of an economy to create employment, stood at 68.1 per cent as of July 2024. 

• By the economic sector, the number of employed persons in the Services sector continued its upward trend, particularly in Wholesale & retail trade; Food & beverage services; and Transportation & storage activities. Similar trends in employment were also observed in the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & quarrying and Agriculture sectors.
  

• In August 2024, the employee’s category, which made up the largest composition of employed persons at 75.0 per cent, improved by 0.2 per cent (+18.7 thousand persons) to 12.50 million persons (July 2024: 12.48 million persons). On the same note, the own-account workers also posted a rise of 9.5 thousand persons (+0.3%) to 3.08 million persons (July 2024: 3.07 million persons). 
  

• The number of unemployed persons declined further in August 2024 to record 558.5 thousand persons, reduced by 0.9 per cent (-5.2 thousand persons) as compared to 563.7 thousand persons in July 2024. The unemployment rate during the month fell by 0.1 percentage points to 3.2 per cent after nine months registered a rate of 3.3 per cent. 
  

• The number of labour force continued to increase in August 2024 with a rise of 0.1 per cent, (+24.2 thousand persons) to 17.22 million persons (July 2024: 17.20 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) during the month was unchanged at 70.4 per cent, as recorded last month.
  

• The number of labour force continued to increase in August 2024 with a rise of 0.1 per cent, (+24.2 thousand persons) to 17.22 million persons (July 2024: 17.20 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) during the month was unchanged at 70.4 per cent, as recorded last month.
  

• The number of persons outside the labour force showed a slight decline of 0.01 per cent (-0.7 thousand persons) to 7.23 million persons in August 2024 (July 2024: 7.23 million persons). Housework/ family responsibilities were the main reason for the outside labour force (42.8%), followed by schooling/ training reasons with 41.1 per cent.
  

The full publication of the Labour Force Report, August 2024 can be downloaded through eStatistik Portal

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10 OCTOBER 2024

For interviews, press statement and clarification to the media, contact:

Baharudin Mohamad

Public Relation Officer

Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my

Phone: 03 8885 7942

Not found what you looking for? Request data from us, through

Go to eStatistik

email to data[at]dosm.gov.my

call 03 8885 7128 (data request)