Overview

• The number of employed persons continued to increase in March 2026, increasing by 0.1 per cent (+13.2 thousand persons) to 16.80 million persons, compared with 16.79 million persons in February 2026. The employment-to-population ratio, reflecting the economy’s ability to create jobs, remained unchanged at 68.8 per cent in March 2026, consistent with the level recorded in the previous month.

• The Services sector remained the largest contributor to total employment in March 2026, particularly in Accommodation and food & beverage services; Information & communication activities and Transportation & storage activities. The Manufacturing, Construction and the Agriculture sector also recorded increases in the number of employed persons. Meanwhile, employment in the Mining & quarrying sector registered a slight decline during the month.

• From the total employed persons in March 2026, the employees’ category represented 75.0 per cent. This category recorded a modest increase of 0.04 per cent (+5.2 thousand persons) to 12.60 million persons, compared with 12.59 million persons in February 2026. The number of own-account workers also improved, registering a 0.3 per cent (+7.9 thousand persons) rise to 3.14 million persons from 3.13 million in the previous month.

• During the month, the number of unemployed persons posted a slight increase of 0.4 per cent (+2.2 thousand persons) to 509.0 thousand persons (February 2026: 506.8 thousand persons). March’s unemployment rate remained at 2.9 per cent, as recorded last month. 

• In March 2026, the labour force continued to show improvement, rising by 0.1 per cent (+15.3 thousand persons) to 17.31 million persons (February 2026: 17.30 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, as in the previous month.  

• The number of persons outside the labour force in March 2026 continued to decline with a slight decrease of 0.02 per cent (-1.7 thousand persons) to 7.10 million persons (February 2026: 7.10 million persons). The largest composition of the outside labour force was housework/ family responsibilities with a share of 43.3 per cent, followed by the schooling/ training category at 40.6 per cent. 

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

12th May 2026

For interviews, press statement and clarification to the media, contact:
Baharudin Mohamad
Public Relation Officer
Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8090 4681

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