PUTRAJAYA — Five states recorded female labour force participation rates above the national average of 56.6% in 2025, with Putrajaya leading at a striking 79.7%, according to Malaysia’s Annual Labour Force Statistics 2025.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Selangor followed with 70.7%, Kuala Lumpur at 66.9%, while Melaka and Penang each stood at 58.3%.
“Malaysia’s labour market continues to strengthen in 2025, supported by economic resilience and an improving employment position. The unemployment rate continued to decline to 3.0%, the lowest level in a decade,” he said.
The number of people outside the labour force rose slightly to 7.03 million, with 43.8% citing housework or family responsibilities and 42.2% engaged in schooling or training.
On underemployment, Mohd Uzir noted improved conditions, with fewer workers clocking under 30 hours a week.
“This was due to better working conditions or insufficient work decreasing by 4.4% to 203,100 people, recording a lower underemployment rate at 1.2% compared to 1.3% in 2024,” he added. – June 26, 2026