In September, Malaysia's employed population experienced a growth of 0.2%, adding 27,600 jobs to reach a total of 16.7 million. Meanwhile, the jobless rate maintained stability at 3.2%, demonstrating resilience in the labor market as indicated by government data released on Friday. The employment-to-population ratio, which reflects the economy's ability to create jobs, increased by 0.1 points to reach 68.2%.
This improvement suggests a positive trend in job creation across various sectors. Leading the job gains was the services sector, with significant contributions from food and beverage, wholesale and retail trade, and information and communication industries. Additionally, growth was noted in manufacturing, construction, mining, and agriculture, illustrating a diverse recovery in employment opportunities. Employee positions, which represent 75.1% of total employment, saw a minor increase of 0.1%, amounting to 12.5 million.
Meanwhile, self-employed roles rose by 0.3%, reaching a total of 3.1 million, suggesting stability in self-employment even amid economic challenges. The unemployment rate eased slightly as the number of unemployed individuals decreased by 0.6%, accounting for 555,300 individuals. This decline indicates a gradual improvement in the job market. The labor force itself expanded by 24,400, bringing the total to 17.2 million, effectively raising the labor force participation rate to 70.5%, up from 70.4% in August.
This growth reflects increasing engagement in the labor market among Malaysians. Moreover, the population outside the labor force witnessed a minor decline of 0.01%, with many individuals citing housework or education as reasons for not actively pursuing employment opportunities. This nuanced understanding of the labor market dynamics is crucial for policymakers aiming to boost employment further..