Overview

• In March 2025, the number of employed persons further increased, with a rise of 0.3 per cent (+44.5 thousand persons) to 16.78 million persons compared to 16.73 million persons in February 2025. The employment-to-population ratio, which indicates the ability of an economy to create employment, went up by 0.1 percentage points to 68.6 per cent in March 2025 (February 2025: 68.5%).

• Most of the employed persons were primarily concentrated in the Services sector, particularly in Accommodation and food & beverage services; Information & communication; and Professional scientific & technical activities. An increasing number of employed persons has also been seen in the Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, and Mining & quarrying sectors.

• In March 2025, the employees’ category accounted for 75.2 per cent of the total employed persons, continued expanding by 0.2 per cent (+25.1 thousand persons) to 12.61 million persons (February 2025: 12.59 million persons). Likewise, the number of own-account workers also rose by 0.6 per cent (+18.4 thousand persons) to 3.15 million persons (February 2025: 3.13 million persons).

• The number of unemployed continued to decrease during the month, with a reduction of 3.2 thousand persons (-0.6%) to 529.6 thousand persons (February 2025: 532.8 thousand persons). The unemployment rate in March remained at 3.1 per cent as in the previous month.

• The number of labour force in March 2025 maintained its positive trend, rose by 0.2 per cent (+41.2 thousand persons) to reach 17.31 million persons (February 2025: 17.27 million persons). March’s labour force participation rate (LFPR) was unchanged at 70.7 per cent, as in February 2025.

• In March 2025, the number of persons outside the labour force increased by 0.1 per cent (+5.0 thousand persons) to 7.16 million persons (February 2025: 7.15 million persons). Housework/ family responsibilities comprised the largest share of the total outside labour force at 43.7 per cent, while schooling/ training reasons ranked second at 41.7 per cent.

The full publication of the Labour Force Survey Report, March 2025 can be downloaded through eStatistic Portal.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

09 May 2025

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

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