Overview

• The number of employed persons continued to record increases in August 2025, rising by 0.2 per cent (+39.1 thousand persons) to 16.99 million persons, up from 16.95 million persons in July 2025. The employment-to-population ratio, an indication of the ability of an economy to create employment, increased by 0.1 percentage points to 68.8 per cent in August, compared to 68.7 per cent in July 2025.

• Across economic sectors, employment in the Services sector continued to register strong growth during the month, notably within Wholesale & retail trade; Information & communication activities; as well as Accommodation and food & beverage services. Similarly, the number of employed persons in the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & quarrying, and Agriculture sectors also experienced an upward trend in August.

• In August 2025, the employees’ category remained as the dominant category within the total employed persons, representing 74.9 per cent. This group posted a 0.2 per cent (+20.2 thousand persons) increase to 12.73 million persons compared to 12.71 million persons in July 2025. Likewise, the number of own-account workers rose by 0.5 per cent (+15.4 thousand persons) to 3.22 million persons (July 2025: 3.21 million persons).

• During the month, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 0.3 per cent (-1.6 thousand persons) to 520.0 thousand persons, reversing the previous month’s increase (July 2025: 521.6 thousand persons). August’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.0 per cent as recorded last month.

• The labour force was on an upward trend in August 2025, rising by 0.2 per cent (+37.5 thousand persons), reaching 17.51 million persons, compared to the previous month (July 2025: 17.47 million persons). A higher labour force participation rate (LFPR) was recorded during the month at 70.9 per cent, with an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to 70.8 per cent in July 2025.

• During the month, the number of persons outside the labour force increased by 0.2 per cent (+12.2 thousand persons) to 7.20 million persons as against the previous month (July 2025: 7.19 million persons. The main reason for being outside the labour force was due to housework/ family responsibilities, which encompassed 43.7 per cent, followed by the schooling/ training category at 40.7 per cent.

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10 October 2025

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Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
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Phone: 03 8090 4681

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