Overview

Key Reviews

• In 2024, Malaysia’s graduate labour market continued to demonstrate positive performance in line with the country’s stable economic growth. The total number of graduates increased by 4.1 per cent to 5.98 million persons compared to the previous year. 
• Of this total, 5.14 million were in the labour force, while 838.8 thousand or 14.0 per cent were outside the labour force. The Graduate Labour Force Participation Rate (GLFPR) rose to 86.0 per cent, reflecting a stronger engagement of graduates in the labour market.
• Graduate Labour Force Participation Rate (GLFPR) by gender also showed favourable progress, with male graduates recording a participation rate of 89.0 per cent and females at 83.4 per cent. The narrowing gap in participation rates between genders reflects greater inclusivity and balance in employment opportunities for both men and women.
• At the same time, the graduate unemployment rate continued to decline to 3.2 per cent from 3.4 per cent in 2023, supported by greater employment opportunities across various economic sectors. This positive development was further reinforced by government initiatives and policies focusing on enhancing human capital development, employability, and the alignment of skills with industry needs.
• In terms of earnings, both mean and median monthly salaries of graduates recorded steady growth in 2024. The mean monthly salary rose to RM5,330, while the median salary increased to RM4,521. Degree holders earned a median salary of RM5,724, whereas diploma holders received RM3,390. These improvements highlight the continued returns on investment in higher education and the stability of the graduate labour market.
• Overall in 2024, despite prevailing global economic uncertainties, Malaysia’s labour market continued to demonstrate strong resilience throughout the year. In line with Budget 2025, the Government remains committed to supporting student welfare and strengthening graduate employability through various initiatives focused on developing a highly skilled workforce. Moving forward, efforts to align the education system with labour market demands and to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning tools will ensure that future graduates are well-prepared to contribute to Malaysia’s sustainable and innovation-driven economic growth.

The full publication of Graduates Statistics 2024 can be downloaded through eStatistik Portal.

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Baharudin Mohamad
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Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my
Phone: 03 8090 4681

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