Overview

• In November 2025, the number of employed persons maintained its upward trajectory, rising by 0.2 per cent (+32.4 thousand persons) to 17.09 million persons, as against last month (October 2025: 17.06 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, reflecting the ability of an economy to create jobs, remained at 68.8 per cent in November 2025, the same as in October 2025.

• In addition, the number of employed persons in the Services sector continued to show steady growth, particularly in Human health and social work activities; Wholesale & retail trade, and Accommodation and food & beverage services activities. Likewise, the Agriculture, Manufacturing, Construction and Mining & quarrying sectors also registered increases in employment. 

• The employees’ category accounted for 74.8 per cent of the total employed persons in November 2025. This category recorded a rise of 0.1 per cent (+16.6 thousand persons), reaching 12.78 million persons compared to the previous month (October 2025: 12.76 million persons). Similarly, the number of own-account workers was also increased, expanding by 0.3 per cent (+10.8 thousand persons) to 3.26 million persons as against the prior month at 3.25 million persons.

• During the month, the number of unemployed persons went down by 0.1 per cent (-0.5 thousand persons) from 518.9 thousand persons in October 2025 to record 518.4 thousand persons. November’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since December 2014 at 2.9 per cent, falling by 0.1 percentage points from 3.0 per cent in the previous month.

• The labour force continued trending upward in November 2025, registering a month-on-month increase of 0.2 per cent (+31.9 thousand persons) to 17.61 million persons (October 2025: 17.58 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) for November remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, as recorded in October 2025.

• The number of persons outside the labour force during the month increased slightly by 0.01 per cent (+0.7 thousand persons) to 7.22 million persons (October 2025: 7.22 million persons). Housework/ family responsibilities were the largest component of the outside labour force, with a share of 43.7 per cent, followed by individuals engaged in schooling/ training category at 40.8 per cent.

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

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA 

09th January 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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