Overview

• The labour force continued to expand in the third quarter of 2024, with an increase of 0.7 per cent or 114.4 thousand persons to register 17.26 million persons (Q2 2024: 17.15 million persons). Subsequently, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained at 70.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2024.
  

• The number of employed persons continued its upward trend during the quarter, with an additional 124.3 thousand persons or 0.7 per cent to post a total of 16.72 million persons (Q2 2024: 16.59 million persons). Meanwhile, the number of employed persons strengthened by 2.9 per cent or equivalent to 464.6 thousand persons as compared to the same quarter of prior year (Q3 2023: 16.25 million persons).
  

• In the third quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percentage points to record 3.2 per cent as against the previous quarter (Q2 2024: 3.3%). The number of unemployed persons in this quarter reduced by 9.9 thousand persons to 547.9 thousand persons (Q2 2024: 557.8 thousand persons). Year-on-year comparison, the unemployment rate also reduced by 0.2 percentage points corresponding to a reduction of 25.2 thousand persons as compared to the same quarter of the preceding year (Q3 2023: 573.1 thousand persons).
  

• At the national level, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) in the third quarter of 2024 remained unchanged at 70.5 per cent. Six states recorded increases indicating improved labour participation in the market. The highest LFPR was recorded in Selangor (76.3%), followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur (74.9%) and Pulau Pinang (73.1%).
  

• In terms of the unemployment rate, most of the states registered a lower unemployment rate during the third quarter of 2024 except Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Pulau Pinang, Selangor and W.P. Kuala Lumpur. The lowest unemployment rate was recorded by Kedah with 1.6 per cent, followed by Selangor (1.9%), W.P. Putrajaya and Pulau Pinang (2.0%).
  

The full publication of the Labour Force Survey Report, Third Quarter 2024 can be downloaded through eStatistic Portal.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

08 November 2024

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Baharudin Mohamad

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