Overview

• The labour force expanded by 0.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, increasing by 43.7 thousand persons to 17.28 million persons (Q1 2026: 17.23 million persons). The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 70.9 per cent, the same rate recorded in the preceding quarter.
• The number of employed persons maintained its upward trend in the second quarter of 2026, recording an additional 40.5 thousand persons (0.2%) to 16.77 million persons (Q1 2026: 16.73 million persons). On year-on-year comparison, the number of employed persons increased by 1.1 per cent or 179.2 thousand persons compared with the same period of the previous year (Q2 2025: 16.59 million persons).
• In the second quarter of 2026, the number of unemployed persons increased by 0.6 per cent, recording 509.7 thousand persons as compared to 506.5 thousand persons in the preceding quarter. Similarly, the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 3.0 per cent (Q1 2026: 2.9%). Yearly comparison shows the number of unemployed persons decreased by 1.6 per cent (-8.1 thousand persons) compared with the second quarter of 2025, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged (Q2 2025: 517.8 thousand persons; 3.0 per cent).
• At the national level, the LFPR held steady at 70.9 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. Five states recorded LFPR above the national rate with Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya registered the highest LFPR at 79.4 per cent, followed by Selangor (77.9%) and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (76.0%).
• At the state level, nine states recorded unemployment rates below the national unemployment rate of 3.0 per cent. Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya registered the lowest unemployment rate at 1.3 per cent, followed by Melaka & Pahang (2.0%) and Selangor (2.1%). 

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

Not found what you looking for? Request data from us, through
Go to eStatistik
Email: data[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8885 7128 (data request)