Unemployment rate (annual) in Malaysia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 3.0% 2027: 3.0% 2028: 3.0% 2029: 3.0% 2030: 3.0% 2031: 3.0%

3.4% (1999) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV

Period	%
Jan 1999	3.4%
Jan 1998	3.2%
Jan 1997	2.4%
Jan 1996	2.5%
Jan 1995	3.1%
Jan 1994	2.9%
Jan 1993	3.0%
Jan 1992	3.7%
Jan 1991	4.3%
Jan 1990	5.1%

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Measures the share of Malaysia's labour force that is without work and actively seeking a job. Compiled by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), it is the benchmark indicator of its labour market.

How it's calculated

It is drawn from the DOSM Labour Force Survey applying the ILO definition of unemployment. It is presented here as an annual percentage of the labour force, an average of the monthly readings.

Market implications

In an open, export-oriented economy, the unemployment rate is a good gauge of the cycle and domestic demand. A low reading points to a tight market that supports consumption; a rise could tilt Bank Negara Malaysia towards easier policy and weigh on the ringgit.

Limitations

The indicator does not capture underemployment or the weight of the large foreign workforce, and a low rate can coexist with low-quality jobs. It is subject to seasonality, sampling error and revision.