Overview

• The number of employed persons in May 2026 continued to expand at a moderate pace, increasing by 0.1 per cent (+9.0 thousand persons) to 16.82 million persons, from the previous month (April 2026: 16.82 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, which indicates an economy’s capacity to create jobs, remained unchanged at 68.8 per cent in May 2026, the same as in the previous month.

• From a sectoral perspective, the Services sector continued to be the main contributor to total employment in the current month, with Wholesale & retail trade; Accommodation and Food & beverage service activities; and Information & communication activities accounting for the largest share of the employment. Other major sectors, including the Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, and Mining & Quarrying, also registered increases in the number of employed persons in May 2026.

• The employees’ remained as the largest employment category, accounting for 75.0 per cent from the total employed persons in May 2026. The number of employees’ edged up by 0.04 per cent (+5.1 thousand persons) to 12.61 million persons (April 2026: 12.61 million persons). Meanwhile, the number of own-account workers increased by 0.1 per cent (+3.2 thousand persons) to 3.15 million persons (April 2026: 3.15 million persons).

• The number of unemployed persons in May 2026 rose slightly to 513.4 thousand persons, with an addition of 0.3 per cent (+1.6 thousand persons) from 511.8 thousand persons in April 2026. May’s unemployment rate stood at 3.0 per cent, unchanged from the rate recorded in the preceding month. 

• In May 2026, the labour force continued its upward trend, expanding by 0.1 per cent (+10.6 thousand persons) to 17.34 million persons (April 2026: 17.33 million persons). Meanwhile, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, the same as in April last month. 

• The number of persons outside the labour force in May 2026 recorded a marginal increase of 0.04 per cent (+2.6 thousand persons) to 7.10 million persons (April 2026: 7.10 million persons). The largest component of the outside labour force was housework/family responsibilities, accounting for 43.3 per cent, followed by the schooling/training category which constituted 40.5 per cent.

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

10 July 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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