PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s private-sector labour demand rose 1.7% year on year to 9.25 million jobs in the second quarter of 2026, with 195,700 vacancies recorded in data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Aug. 13.

DOSM’s Employment Statistics for Q2 2026 showed the number of jobs increased by 152,300 from 9.10 million a year earlier. A total of 9.05 million jobs were filled, representing 97.9% of all jobs.

Manufacturing accounted for 114,000 vacancies, or 58.3% of the total, the largest share of any sector. Electrical, electronic and optical products recorded 35,100 vacancies, while petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products had 19,100.

Agriculture followed with 30,400 vacancies, or 15.5% of the total, while Construction recorded 26,500, or 13.5%.

Semi-skilled positions accounted for most unfilled demand. DOSM recorded 107,300 semi-skilled vacancies, equivalent to 54.8% of the total. Skilled positions accounted for 50,200 vacancies, while low-skilled roles made up another 38,200.

A total of 31,500 jobs were created during the quarter, down 1.2% from a year earlier, even as overall labour demand continued to expand.

Services generated the largest share of new positions, accounting for 14,400 jobs, or 45.7% of the total. Wholesale and Retail Trade contributed 8,600. Manufacturing created another 12,100 jobs, while Construction added 3,100.

Semi-skilled work also dominated new job creation. The category accounted for 20,800 new positions, or 66.1%, compared with 7,900 skilled jobs and 2,800 low-skilled jobs.

Separate DOSM services statistics released on Aug. 12 showed continued workforce growth in the services sector. Services had 4.7 million persons engaged in Q2, up 2.3% year on year and 11,600 from the previous quarter.

Transportation and Storage employment increased 4.3% from a year earlier, while total salaries and wages across services rose 4.8% to RM35.6 billion.

The vacancy figures show where employers are seeking workers, but DOSM did not break the openings down by nationality.

DOSM said the rise in filled jobs came alongside a 3.0% unemployment rate recorded in Malaysia’s Labour Force Statistics for the second quarter.

“Overall, Malaysia’s labour demand performance in Q2 2026 indicated that the national economy remained resilient, with the business sector continuing to absorb labour force,” DOSM said.