PUTRAJAYA, Aug 11 — The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.0 per cent in June 2026, with 517,800 unemployed persons recorded, according to the Labour Force Statistics for June 2026 and the Second Quarter of 2026 released today.
The Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM) said the number of employed persons rose 0.01 per cent to 16.83 million in June 2026 (May 2026: 16.82 million persons), while the number of unemployed persons increased from 513,400 to 517,800, rising by 0.9 per cent month-on-month.
“The labour force recorded a marginal month-on-month increase of 0.04 per cent to 17.34 million persons in June 2026 (May 2026: 17.34 million persons). The labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained at 70.9 per cent, unchanged from the previous month,” it said in a statement today.
The employees’ category comprised 75.0 per cent of the total employed persons, increasing slightly by 0.02 per cent, reaching 12.61 million persons in June 2026 (May 2026: 12.61 million persons), while the number of own-account workers rose marginally by 0.04 per cent to register 3.15 million persons (May 2026: 3.15 million persons).
DOSM added that the services sector remains the primary contributor to total employment during the month, particularly in transportation and storage, accommodation and food and beverage services, and wholesale and retail trade.
In June 2026, the unemployment rate among youths aged 15 to 24 years stood at 10.2 per cent, with 292,200 unemployed youths recorded (May 2026: 291,600 persons), while the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 30 years was unchanged at 6.3 per cent, registering 400,800 unemployed youths.
At the state level, Putrajaya continued to record the lowest unemployment rate at 1.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, followed by Melaka and Pahang both at 2.0 per cent and Selangor, which recorded an unemployment rate of 2.1 per cent.
Concurrently, five states recorded the LFPR above the national rate, with Putrajaya registering the highest rate at 79.4 per cent, followed by Selangor (77.9 per cent) and Kuala Lumpur (76.0 per cent).
“Overall, Malaysia's economic and labour market outlook from July 2026 onwards is expected to remain positive, supported by relatively stable domestic economic conditions, continued investment activity, and a labour market that has demonstrated resilience.
“Nevertheless, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding global energy markets, geopolitical developments, and external trade conditions could weigh on business costs and hiring decisions if these pressures persist,” it said.
