Malaysia Female Labor Participation
Female labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS
Malaysia's female labor participation was 51.64% in 2025, ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's female labor participation stood at 51.64% in 2025, a rise of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 51.73% by 2026. Malaysia ranked 103rd globally.
Malaysia’s female labor‑force participation has risen markedly over the 36‑year span from 35.83 % in 1990, the all‑time trough, to 51.64 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 103 globally. The ascent culminated in an all‑time peak of 51.78 % in 2019, after which participation slipped marginally by 0.14 percentage points. This trajectory mirrors the progress of peer economies such as Hong Kong SAR, China (51.80 %) and Colombia (51.62 %), which occupy similar positions in the World Bank rankings. The sustained increase reflects structural shifts, including expanded service‑sector employment and policy measures aimed at gender inclusion, while the slight post‑peak dip may be linked to pandemic‑related labor market disruptions. Continued advancement will depend on the effectiveness of vocational training programmes, childcare support, and the resilience of Malaysia’s export‑oriented industries, suggesting that further gains in female participation remain plausible if supportive policies are reinforced.
Data & projection
| Year | Female Labor Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 51.85% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 51.79% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 51.73% | - | - |
| 2025 | 51.64% | +0.03pp | #103 |
| 2024 | 51.62% | +0.02pp | #109 |
| 2023 | 51.59% | −0.01pp | #111 |
| 2022 | 51.60% | +0.23pp | #105 |
| 2021 | 51.37% | +0.00pp | #103 |
| 2020 | 51.37% | −0.41pp | #94 |
| 2019 | 51.78% | +0.16pp | #104 |
| 2018 | 51.63% | +0.34pp | #102 |
| 2017 | 51.29% | +0.30pp | #105 |
| 2016 | 50.99% | +0.16pp | #103 |
| 2015 | 50.83% | +0.35pp | #104 |
| 2014 | 50.48% | +1.72pp | #108 |
| 2013 | 48.76% | +1.73pp | #114 |
| 2012 | 47.03% | +1.73pp | #124 |
| 2011 | 45.30% | +0.50pp | #129 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw female labor participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's female labor participation was 51.64% in 2025. Ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Malaysia's female labor participation peaked at 51.78% in 2019.
The lowest female labor participation in Malaysia was 35.83% in 1990.
Malaysia ranks 103rd globally in female labor participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's female labor participation is projected to reach 51.73% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The female labor participation of Malaysia in 2025 was 51.64%. This ranks 103rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_female-labor-participation,
title = {Malaysia Female Labor Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/female-labor-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}