Overview

• In October 2024, the number of employed persons continued its upward trend, registering a month-on-month increase of 0.2 per cent (+28.5 thousand persons) to 16.72 million persons (September 2024: 16.69 million persons). The employment-to-population ratio, which indicates the ability of an economy to create employment, was unchanged at 68.2 per cent as in the preceding month. 

• In terms of the economic sector, the number of employed persons in the Services sector steadily increased, largely in Wholesale & retail trade; Food & beverage services and Transportation & storage activities. On the same note, the Manufacturing, Construction, Mining & quarrying and Agriculture sectors also registered positive employment growth during the month. 

• Out of the total employed persons in October 2024, 74.9 per cent were in the employees’ category. This category posted a slight increase of 0.1 per cent (+16.3 thousand persons) to 12.53 million persons (September 2024: 12.51 million persons). Similarly, the own-account workers category also rose with an addition of 0.3 per cent (+10.4 thousand persons) to 3.10 million persons (September 2024: 3.09 million persons). 

• In October 2024, the number of unemployed fell by 0.7 per cent (-3.9 thousand persons) month-on-month to 551.4 thousand persons (September 2024: 555.3 thousand persons). The unemployment rate stood at 3.2 per cent during the month, as in September.

• During the month, the number of labour force posted a continuous increase in October 2024, rising by 0.1 per cent (+24.6 thousand persons) from 17.24 million persons in September 2024 to record 17.27 million persons. The labour force participation rate (LFPR) remained unchanged from the previous month at 70.5 per cent.

• In October 2024, the number of persons outside the labour force showed a slight decline of 0.02 per cent (-1.2 thousand persons) to 7.23 million persons (September 2024: 7.23 million persons). Housework/ family responsibilities were the main reason for the outside labour force, which contributed 43.0 per cent of the total, while the schooling/ training category ranked second at 41.9 per cent.

The full publication of the Labour Force Report, October 2024 can be downloaded through eStatistik Portal

Released by:

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS MALAYSIA

09 DECEMBER 2024

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Baharudin Mohamad

Public Relation Officer

Email: baharudin[at]dosm.gov.my

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