Overview

• In May 2024, the number of employed persons continued in a positive trend, with a rise of 0.1 per cent (+24.1 thousand persons) month-on-month to 16.58 million persons compared to the previous month (April 2024: 16.56 million persons). During the month, the employment-to-population ratio, which indicates the ability of the economy to create employment, stood at 68.0 per cent as recorded last month.
  

• In terms of economic sector, nearly two-thirds of the employed persons were concentrated in the Services sector, which continued to show an uptrend, particularly in the Wholesales & retail trade, Food & beverage services and Information & communication activities. On the same note, the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & quarrying and Agriculture sectors also recorded a rise in employment.
  

• The majority of employed persons in May 2024 were in the employees’ category, comprising 75.1 per cent. This category went up by 0.1 per cent (+14.3 thousand persons) to 12.44 million persons (April 2024: 12.43 million persons). Similarly, the own-account workers category was on an increasing trend, with an addition of 0.3 per cent (+8.7 thousand persons) to 3.05 million persons (April 2024: 3.04 million persons).
  

• The number of unemployed persons fell slightly by 0.1 per cent (-0.3 thousand persons) from 566.4 thousand persons in April 2024 to 566.1 thousand persons in May 2024. The unemployment rate during the month remained unchanged at 3.3 per cent. 
  

• The number of labour force in May 2024 strengthened further by 0.1 per cent (+23.8 thousand persons) to record 17.15 million persons (April 2024: 17.12 million persons). May’s labour force participation rate remained at 70.3 per cent, as recorded last month. 
  

• The number of persons outside the labour force in May 2024 posted a marginal decrease of 0.003 per cent (-0.2 thousand persons) to 7.23 million persons (April 2024: 7.23 million persons). The major composition of the outside labour force was housework/ family responsibilities, accounting for 42.7 per cent, followed by the schooling/ training category (41.4%).
  

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10 JULY 2024

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

Baharudin Mohamad

Public Relation Officer

Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my

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