Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Malaysia: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Malaysia is placed 63rd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 63.63 (2025); Labour Income Share 40.71 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
63rd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Malaysia on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
63.63
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Malaysia: 63.63. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 82.17 Cambodia
- Land neighbours
- Brunei 60.85 · Indonesia 65.77 · Thailand 66.16
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.764
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Malaysia: 3.764. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 0.263 Cambodia
- Land neighbours
- Brunei 5.277 · Indonesia 3.237 · Thailand 0.781
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
21.89
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Malaysia: 21.89. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 4.478 Brunei
- Land neighbours
- Brunei 4.478 · Indonesia 49.96 · Thailand 47.98
02Over time
Which way Malaysia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 57.76 in 2000 to 63.63 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2025 63.631 57.720 2024 63.565 57.694 2023 63.625 58.158 2022 63.620 57.688 2021 62.574 56.066 2020 62.501 55.691 2019 63.678 57.871 2018 63.410 56.911 2017 62.978 56.738 2016 62.851 56.845 2015 63.164 56.788 2014 63.091 56.774 2013 61.955 56.229 2012 61.038 56.289 2011 60.048 56.297 2010 59.557 56.212 2009 59.049 56.255 2008 58.922 57.308 2007 58.677 56.933 2006 58.448 56.685 2005 58.139 56.129 2004 57.985 55.465 2003 57.814 55.630 2002 57.768 55.843 2001 57.613 56.018 2000 57.757 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 32.44 in 2004 to 40.71 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2025 40.71 46.230 2024 40.53 46.060 2023 40.97 45.900 2022 39.95 45.615 2021 43.45 45.433 2020 46.29 47.267 2019 44.50 46.277 2018 44.42 46.187 2017 44.16 46.467 2016 44.23 46.798 2015 43.59 46.876 2014 42.65 47.281 2013 42.30 46.887 2012 41.41 46.231 2011 39.96 45.679 2010 39.31 46.024 2009 39.57 47.071 2008 37.60 45.312 2007 34.65 45.246 2006 32.71 45.670 2005 32.78 46.265 2004 32.44 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia rose from 3 in 2000 to 3.764 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2025 3.76 5.08 2024 3.85 5.15 2023 3.86 5.21 2022 3.93 5.34 2021 4.64 6.04 2020 4.54 6.38 2019 3.33 5.36 2018 3.30 5.35 2017 3.41 5.59 2016 3.44 5.90 2015 3.10 6.41 2014 2.88 6.58 2013 3.14 6.71 2012 3.04 6.79 2011 3.05 6.90 2010 3.32 7.04 2009 3.62 6.67 2008 3.34 5.79 2007 3.31 6.00 2006 3.32 6.50 2005 3.53 7.09 2004 3.54 6.80 2003 3.61 6.95 2002 3.48 6.91 2001 3.53 6.96 2000 3.00 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MalaysiaWorld median
Malaysia fell from 26.21 in 2000 to 21.89 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Malaysia World median 2025 21.89 28.67 2024 22.02 29.04 2023 22.15 29.33 2022 22.25 29.67 2021 22.36 30.01 2020 22.55 30.54 2019 22.39 29.98 2018 22.57 30.15 2017 22.74 29.93 2016 22.93 29.91 2015 23.11 30.26 2014 23.27 30.47 2013 23.43 31.14 2012 23.55 31.00 2011 23.63 31.41 2010 23.76 32.37 2009 23.88 32.59 2008 23.97 31.76 2007 24.28 33.47 2006 24.62 34.27 2005 24.93 34.66 2004 25.23 35.51 2003 25.51 35.90 2002 25.77 35.96 2001 26.00 35.27 2000 26.21 35.67
03In context
Malaysia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Malaysia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indonesiacompare | 34th | 65.77 | 58.2 | 3.237 | 49.96 |
 Thailand | =37th | 66.16 | 47.02 | 0.781 | 47.98 |
| Malaysia | 63rd | 63.63 | 40.71 | 3.764 | 21.89 |
 Brunei | =72nd | 60.85 | 33.21 | 5.277 | 4.478 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Malaysia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Malaysia is ahead of the world, and behind
24 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median12
Statistics on which Malaysia does better than the middle country measured.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8850.14.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Malaysia: 0.1 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1625.5419.16No earlier reading
Malaysia: 25.54 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 41st of 179 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6666.1261.66▲ Improved since 2015
Malaysia: 66.12 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 51st of 182 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74216,3596,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Malaysia: 16,359 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 48th of 151 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23063,09325,230No real change since 2010
Malaysia: 63,093 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 49th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38470,82147,384▲ Improved since 2015
Malaysia: 70,821 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 55th of 168 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 010.40No earlier reading
Malaysia: 10.4 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8132.4941.81No earlier reading
Malaysia: 32.49 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 119th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 373▲ Improved since 2015
Malaysia: 7 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1630.4122.16No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 30.41 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 70th of 182 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0737.0232.07No earlier reading
Malaysia: 37.02 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8311.9512.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Malaysia: 11.95 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 94th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median5
Statistics on which Malaysia does worse than the middle country measured.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.943.845.9No earlier reading
Malaysia: 43.8 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.540.575No earlier reading
Malaysia: 0.54 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3651.6453.36No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 51.64 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 104th of 182 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.688.69816.68No earlier reading
Malaysia: 8.698 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 112th of 139 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.615.951.61No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 5.95 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▲ Improved since 2015
Malaysia: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end6
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8944.4938.89No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 44.49 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 26th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8825.9618.88Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 25.96 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 37th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.951,035657.95Moved since 2014
Malaysia: 1,035 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5164.8659.51Moved since 2015
Malaysia: 64.86 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 79th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.389.18214.38No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 9.182 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 110th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8425.3731.84No real change since 2015
Malaysia: 25.37 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 114th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Malaysia
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2020), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2022), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate (last 2015), Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2022). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Malaysia’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Malaysia’s 6th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Mobility & Trade6th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions40th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology41st of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation40th of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality41st of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour63rd of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Security62nd of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital91st of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 86th of 1844/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties95th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience95th of 1934/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing99th of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 131st of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 131st of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 158th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Malaysia can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Singapore17th4/4 keysThis page
Malaysia63rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Malaysia and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Malaysia on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Malaysia rank on work & labour?
Malaysia is placed 63rd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Malaysia?
63.63 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Malaysia?
40.71 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Malaysia compare with Indonesia on work & labour?
Indonesia is placed 34th of 182, and Malaysia 63rd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Indonesia 65.77, Malaysia 63.63; Labour Income Share: Indonesia 58.2, Malaysia 40.71; Unemployment Rate: Indonesia 3.237, Malaysia 3.764; Vulnerable Employment: Indonesia 49.96, Malaysia 21.89.
How have Malaysia’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 57.76 in 2000 to 63.63 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 32.44 in 2004 to 40.71 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 3 in 2000 to 3.764 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 26.21 in 2000 to 21.89 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Malaysia?
No current reading is published for Malaysia on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Low Pay Rate, Public Sector Employment, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 24 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Malaysia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Malaysia (banner) — Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Malaysia: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/malaysia/work