Overview

Sales in the Manufacturing sector expanded 8.9 per cent, amounted to RM172.7 billion in May 2026

The Manufacturing sector posted sales value of RM172.7 billion in May 2026, grew 8.9 per cent, slightly slower than 9.1 per cent recorded in the preceding month. The growth was mainly contributed by the significant increase in the Electrical & electronics products sub-sector by 26.4 per cent in May 2026 (April 2026: 13.4%). Besides that, this was further supported by the Petroleum, chemical, rubber & plastic products sub-sector and Non-metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products sub-sector, which increased by 4.9 per cent (April 2026: 4.5%) and 6.4 per cent (April 2026: 6.6%), respectively. In comparison by month-on-month, sales value declined by 1.4 per cent, from RM175.1 billion in April 2026.

Sales value growth in the export-oriented industries which accounting for 73.1 per cent of total sales, surged by 12.5 per cent in May 2026 (April 2026: 9.9%). The performance was led by the increase in the Manufacture of computer, electronics & optical products at 30.9 per cent (April 2026: 15.2%). Moreover, the Manufacture of coke & refined petroleum products also registered an increment at 8.6 per cent (April 2026: 5.9%), while Manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. grew 5.2 per cent (April 2026: 5.6%). As compared to the previous month, sales value of the export-oriented industries increased 1.9 per cent.

The domestic-oriented industries industries increased marginally by 0.2 per cent in May 2026, after registered 7.4 per cent in the previous month. The performance was mainly supported by the growth in the Manufacture of construction materials related products as Manufacture of basic metals which increased 7.4 per cent in May 2026 (April 2026: 5.3%) and Manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery & equipment (5.9%). Otherwise, the domestic-oriented industries dropped 9.3 per cent, based on month-on-month growth.

A total of 2.4 million employees were recorded in this sector during May 2026, augmented by 1.1 per cent (April 2026: 1.2%). The augmentation was mainly driven by the Food, beverages & tobacco (2.1%); followed by the Non-metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products sub-sector (1.7%) and Electrical & electronics products sub-sector (1.5%). Meanwhile, the number of employees in this sector decreased 0.2 per cent on month-on-month comparison.

The salaries & wages paid in the Manufacturing sector also posted an expansion of 2.9 per cent (April 2026: 3.1%), amounted to RM8.56 billion in May 2026. As compared to the amount recorded in the prior month, the salaries & wages paid declined 0.05 per cent. Subsequently, the sales value per employee registered at RM71,184 (7.7%), while the average salaries & wages per employee was RM3,529, improved by 1.8 per cent year-on-year.

For the cumulative sales of the first five months 2026, Manufacturing sector recorded RM849.3 billion, grew 6.9 per cent (January - May 2025: 3.8%). The number of employee uptick by 1.1 per cent to 2.4 million persons, while salaries & wages grew by 2.6 per cent to RM43.0 billion. Furthermore, the sales value per employee stood at RM350,082, increased 5.7 per cent.

The full publication of the Monthly Manufacturing Statistics, May 2026 can be downloaded through eStatistik portal.

Data for May 2026 is provisional. The data will be updated based on the latest available figures and subsequently published in the June 2026 publication.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

9 July 2026

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