PUTRAJAYA, Jan 9 — Malaysia's unemployment rate in November 2025 dropped to its lowest level in 11 years, reaching 2.9 per cent, with 518,400 people unemployed, according to the Malaysian Statistics Department's (DOSM) Statistics of the Labour Force Malaysia report released today.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the last time the unemployment rate fell below three per cent was in November 2014.
The sharp improvement reflects the continued strengthening of the labour market, supported by stable economic conditions and steady labour demand across key sectors.
"The labour force expanded by 0.2 per cent to reach 17.61 million persons in November 2025 compared to 17.58 million in October 2025, while labour force participation rate during the month was unchanged at 70.9 per cent," he said in a statement.
Uzir added that Malaysia's labour market is expected to remain stable and continue to grow positively in the coming months, supported by emerging job opportunities in strategic sectors, ongoing reskilling and upskilling initiatives and more balanced employment growth between urban and rural areas.
"Therefore, Malaysia's labour market is forecast to remain competitive, inclusive, and resilient in addressing global challenges, while leveraging opportunities from digital transformation and the green agenda," he said.
The number of employed persons continued to rise, increasing 0.2 per cent to 17.09 million, from 17.06 million previously, while the number of unemployed persons decreased slightly to 518,400 from 518,900 in the previous month.
Employees accounted for 74.8 per cent of total employment, increasing to 12.78 million persons, up from 12.76 million in October 2025, while own-account workers rose to 3.26 million, up from 3.25 million the previous month.
Uzir said that employment growth remained broad-based, led by steady gains in the services sector, particularly in human health and social work, wholesale and retail trade, accommodation, and food and beverage services, while growth was also recorded in the agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining, and quarrying sectors.
The number of people working fewer than 30 hours per week rose to 237,000 in November 2025, from 233,200 in October 2025, while time-related underemployment increased to 129,900 from 126,400.
“As a result, the time-related underemployment rate rose to 0.8 per cent in November 2025 compared to 0.7 per cent in October 2025,” he said.
