Malaysia's Unemployment Rate Dropped to Decade-Low 2.9% in November 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s labour market showed resilience in November 2025, with the unemployment rate declining to 2.9%—the lowest in a decade—after holding steady at 3.0% for six months.

Employment grew 3.1% year-on-year, continuing to surpass labour force expansion of 2.8% since August 2021.

Unemployment Rate Dropped

However, labour demand softened, with job vacancies dropping 19,000 to 105,800—the lowest since February 2024. The services sector saw the sharpest fall (down 14,000 to 65,200), driven by fewer openings in scientific, transportation and food & beverage fields. Manufacturing vacancies eased slightly to 28,200, while agriculture declined to 4,700.

Analysts forecast the unemployment rate averaging around 3.0% in 2026, supported by sustained domestic-oriented services growth and resilient household spending. (148 words)