From 1982 until 2011, Unemployment Rate for Malaysia had an averaged of 4.04 percent, reaching an historical high of 7.40 percent in 1986 and a record low of 2.50 percent in 1996 & 1997. Since 1998, unemployment rate ranging between 2 to 3 percent & stay below average.
The labour force is defined as the number of people employed plus the number unemployed but seeking work. The nonlabour force includes those who are not looking for work, those who are institutionalised and those serving in the military.
The table below shows number of labour forces, unemployment rate & labour participation rate for Malaysia since 1982.
| Year | Labour Force (‘000) | Unemployment Rate | Participation Rates (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 5,248.9 | 3.4 | 64.8 |
| 1983 | 5,457.0 | 3.8 | 65.6 |
| 1984 | 5,566.7 | 5.0 | 65.3 |
| 1985 | 5,653.3 | 5.6 | 65.7 |
| 1986 | 5,760.1 | 7.4 | 66.1 |
| 1987 | 5,983.9 | 7.3 | 66.5 |
| 1988 | 6,157.2 | 7.2 | 66.8 |
| 1989 | 6,390.9 | 5.7 | 66.2 |
| 1990 | 6,685.0 | 4.5 | 66.5 |
| 1992 | 7,047.8 | 3.7 | 65.9 |
| 1993 | 7,383.4 | 4.1 | 66.5 |
| 1995 | 7,645.0 | 3.1 | 64.7 |
| 1996 | 8,399.3 | 2.5 | 66.3 |
| 1997 | 8,569.2 | 2.5 | 65.6 |
| 1998 | 8,599.6 | 3.2 | 64.3 |
| 1999 | 8,837.8 | 3.4 | 64.2 |
| 2000 | 9,269.2 | 3.0 | 65.0 |
| 2001 | 9,357.0 | 3.5 | 64.9 |
| 2002 | 9,542.6 | 3.5 | 64.4 |
| 2003 | 9,869.7 | 3.6 | 65.2 |
| 2004 | 9,979.5 | 3.5 | 64.4 |
| 2005 | 10,045.4 | 3.5 | 63.3 |
| 2006 | 10,275.4 | 3.3 | 63.1 |
| 2007 | 10,538.1 | 3.2 | 63.2 |
| 2008 | 11,968.0 | 3.3 | 62.7 |
| 2009 | 12,083.0 | 3.7 | 63.3 |
| 2010 (p) | 12,361.0 | 3.4 | 64.3 |
| 2011 (e) | 12,227.0 | 3.3 | 64.8 |
| Average | 4.0 | 65.0 |
(p) – preliminary figures
(e) – estimates