Overview

• The labour force continued to post an increase in the second quarter of 2025, with a rise of 0.8 per cent or 140.6 thousand persons to register 17.37 million persons (Q1 2025: 17.23 million persons). A higher labour force participation rate (LFPR) was recorded during the quarter at 70.8 per cent, rose by 0.1 percentage points from 70.7 per cent in the preceding quarter.
• In the second quarter of 2025, the number of employed persons continued its upward trend, escalated by 0.9 per cent (+146.0 thousand persons) to record a total of 16.85 million (Q1 2025: 16.70 million persons). In terms of year-on-year comparison, the number of employed persons strengthened by 2.9 per cent or equivalent to 480.7 thousand persons compared to the second quarter of 2024 (Q2 2024: 16.37 million persons).
• During this quarter, the number of unemployed persons continued to drop by 1.0 per cent or equivalent to a reduction of 5.4 thousand persons to 520.9 thousand persons (Q1 2025: 526.3 thousand persons). Consequently, a lower unemployment rate was recorded in the second quarter of 2025 at 3.0 per cent compared to 3.1 per cent in the previous quarter. Year-on-year comparison showed the unemployment rate also reduced by 0.1 percentage points corresponding to decline of 23.7 thousand persons (Q2 2024: 544.6 thousand persons; 3.2%). 
• At the national level, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased to 70.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2025. Eleven states recorded increases in the LFPR, indicating improved labour participation in the market. The highest LFPR was recorded by Selangor (78.0%), followed by W.P. Putrajaya (77.6%) and W.P. Kuala Lumpur (75.5%). 
• In terms of the unemployment rate by state, nine states surpassed the national unemployment rate at 3.0 per cent. The lowest unemployment rate during this quarter was recorded in the states of W.P. Putrajaya with 1.4 per cent, followed by Pahang (1.8%), and Selangor (1.9%). 

Note: The Labour Force Statistics from first quarter of 2024 are estimated based on the Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020

The full publication of the Labour Force Survey Report, Second Quarter 2025 can be downloaded through eStatistic Portal.

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

11 AUGUST 2025

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