Malaysia Labour Demand Grew 1.7% in Q2 2026: What Employers Need to Know

Malaysia's labour demand continued to grow in Q2 2026, with total jobs reaching 9.25 million, up from 9.10 million in Q2 2025.

According to the latest Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data, filled jobs increased by 1.7% year-on-year, while Malaysia recorded 195,700 job vacancies during the quarter.

The figures were also reported by Human Resources Online on 18 August 2026, highlighting that semi-skilled roles continued to lead Malaysia's labour demand.

For employers, the latest numbers show that hiring demand remains active, especially for semi-skilled and Manufacturing roles.

Malaysia Had 9.25 Million Jobs in Q2 2026

DOSM reported 9.25 million total jobs in Q2 2026.

This included:

9.05 million filled jobs
195,700 vacancies
31,500 jobs created

Filled jobs grew 1.7% year-on-year, while vacancies increased 0.4% compared with Q2 2025. The filled jobs rate remained at 97.9%.

Semi-Skilled Roles Continue to Lead

The semi-skilled category remained the biggest part of Malaysia's labour demand.

In Q2 2026, semi-skilled roles recorded:

5.74 million total jobs
5.63 million filled jobs
107,300 vacancies
20,800 jobs created

Semi-skilled roles accounted for 62.0% of total jobs, 54.8% of vacancies, and 66.1% of jobs created.

For employers, this shows continued demand for candidates with practical skills and relevant experience.

Which Sectors Have the Most Jobs?

The Services sector continued to have the largest share of total jobs, followed by Manufacturing and Construction.

Services

Services accounted for 4.86 million jobs, or 52.5% of total jobs.

It also created the most new jobs in Q2 2026, with 14,400 jobs created.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing recorded 2.53 million jobs, representing 27.4% of total jobs.

It remained the largest source of vacancies, with 114,000 openings, or 58.3% of all vacancies.

Construction

Construction recorded 1.28 million jobs, or 13.8% of total jobs.

The sector also created 3,100 new jobs during the quarter.

Where Are Most of the Job Vacancies?

Malaysia recorded 195,700 vacancies in Q2 2026.

Manufacturing had the largest share with 114,000 vacancies.

Other sectors recorded:

Agriculture: 30,400 vacancies
Construction: 26,500 vacancies
Services: 24,300 vacancies
Mining & Quarrying: 500 vacancies

By skill category:

Semi-skilled: 107,300 vacancies
Skilled: 50,200 vacancies
Low-skilled: 38,200 vacancies

What Employers Should Know

Hiring Demand Remains Active

With 195,700 vacancies recorded in Q2 2026, businesses across Malaysia continue to hire.

Employers should keep their hiring plans active and maintain a steady candidate pipeline.

Semi-Skilled Talent Remains Important

Semi-skilled roles made up 66.1% of jobs created in Q2 2026.

Employers hiring for operational, technical, retail, service, production, and other practical roles may continue to see strong demand for suitable candidates.

Manufacturing Has Strong Hiring Demand

Manufacturing accounted for 58.3% of all vacancies, making it the biggest source of job openings in Q2 2026.

For employers in Manufacturing, keeping a strong candidate pipeline can help reduce delays when filling vacancies.

Services Remains the Largest Job Sector

Services continued to account for the largest share of jobs and filled positions.

It also led job creation with 14,400 new jobs in Q2 2026.

Employers Need to Keep Hiring Efficient

With vacancies across several sectors, employers can improve hiring efficiency by:

Writing clear job descriptions
Reaching suitable candidates quickly
Keeping an active candidate pipeline
Reviewing hiring needs regularly
Reducing unnecessary delays during recruitment

Malaysia's Labour Market Remains Resilient

Malaysia's labour demand remained steady in Q2 2026.

Total jobs reached 9.25 million, filled jobs increased 1.7% year-on-year, and businesses created 31,500 new jobs during the quarter.

The biggest takeaway for employers is clear: hiring demand remains active, with semi-skilled roles continuing to play an important role in Malaysia's labour market.

For companies planning to expand their teams, keeping the hiring pipeline active can help them respond faster when suitable candidates become available.

FAQs

Did Malaysia's labour demand increase in Q2 2026?

Yes. Total jobs increased to 9.25 million in Q2 2026, while filled jobs grew 1.7% year-on-year.

How many job vacancies were recorded in Q2 2026?

Malaysia recorded 195,700 vacancies in Q2 2026, up 0.4% from Q2 2025.

Which skill category had the most job vacancies?

The semi-skilled category recorded the most vacancies, with 107,300 openings, representing 54.8% of total vacancies.

Which Sector Had the Most Job Vacancies?

The Manufacturing sector had the most vacancies, with 114,000 openings, accounting for 58.3% of total vacancies.

Which sector created the most new jobs?

The Services sector created the most new jobs in Q2 2026, with 14,400 jobs, followed by Manufacturing with 12,100 jobs.

What does this mean for employers?

The figures show that hiring demand remains active across Malaysia. Employers, especially those hiring for semi-skilled and Manufacturing roles, should maintain an active hiring pipeline and be ready to connect with suitable candidates.

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