Overview

• In the first quarter of 2023, the labour force increased by 0.6 per cent or 106.7 thousand persons to register 16.65 million persons (Q4 2022: 16.54 million persons). A higher labour force participation rate (LFPR) was recorded during the quarter at 69.8 per cent,  climbed by 0.3 percentage points from 69.5 per cent in the preceding quarter.
  

• In terms of employment, the number of employed person in the first quarter of 2023 further increased, escalated by 0.8 per cent (+120.3 thousand persons) to record 16.06 million persons (Q4 2022: 15.94 million persons). Comparing with one year earlier, the number of employed persons increased by 3.1 per cent or equivalent to 487.1 thousand persons as compared to the first quarter of 2022 (Q1 2022:15.57 million persons). 
  

• During this quarter, the number of unemployed persons continued to drop by 2.3 per cent or equivalent to a reduction of 13.6 thousand persons to 586.9 thousand persons in the first quarter of 2023 (Q4 2022: 600.5 thousand persons). Therefore, the unemployment rate during the quarter continued its downward trend, slightly decline to 3.5 per cent compared to 3.6 per cent in the previous quarter.
  

• In terms of LFPR by states, the labour force participation rate at the national level increased to 69.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2023. Nine states recorded increases in the LFPR, indicating improving labour participation in the market. The highest LFPR was recorded by Selangor and W.P. Putrajaya with 76.5 per cent, followed by W.P. Kuala Lumpur (73.1%), Pulau Pinang (71.4%) and Sabah (70.6%).
  

• Looking at the unemployment rate situation by states, nine of the states posted a reduction in the unemployment rate meanwhile another five states show an increasing trend. The lowest unemployment rate during this quarter was recorded by W.P. Putrajaya with 0.8 per cent, followed by Perlis (2.1%), Pulau Pinang (2.3%) and Negeri Sembilan (2.5%).
  

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Baharudin Mohamad

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Phone: 03 8885 7942

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