Malaysia Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Malaysia's industry employment was 25.96% in 2025, ranked 145th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's industry employment stood at 25.96% in 2025, a decline of +0.05% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 25.99% by 2026. Malaysia ranked 145th globally.
Malaysia’s share of industry employment has fallen sharply from 32.81 percent in 1991 to 25.96 percent in 2025, placing the country at rank 145 globally. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 34.90 percent in 1997, during a period of rapid industrialisation, before a gradual decline that accelerated after the 2021 trough of 25.93 percent. Over the 35‑year series, the downward trajectory mirrors a structural shift toward services and a modest rise in automation within manufacturing. Malaysia’s 2025 figure is virtually identical to Germany’s 25.97 percent and slightly above Lithuania’s 25.90 percent, indicating convergence with both advanced and emerging economies in the share of the workforce employed in industry. Continued diversification of the economy, coupled with policies that promote high‑value manufacturing and skill development, will be crucial if Malaysia is to stabilise or reverse the long‑term decline in industrial employment.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 25.98% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 25.98% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 25.99% | - | - |
| 2025 | 25.96% | −0.05% | #145 |
| 2024 | 26.00% | +0.01% | #145 |
| 2023 | 26.00% | −0.08% | #147 |
| 2022 | 26.07% | +0.14% | #146 |
| 2021 | 25.93% | −0.24% | #147 |
| 2020 | 26.17% | −1.76% | #152 |
| 2019 | 27.92% | +0.81% | #162 |
| 2018 | 27.11% | −0.61% | #159 |
| 2017 | 27.72% | +0.23% | #162 |
| 2016 | 27.49% | −0.03% | #162 |
| 2015 | 27.52% | −0.23% | #162 |
| 2014 | 27.75% | −0.20% | #163 |
| 2013 | 27.94% | +0.37% | #164 |
| 2012 | 27.58% | −0.87% | #159 |
| 2011 | 28.45% | +0.83% | #165 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's industry employment was 25.96% in 2025. Ranked 145th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
Malaysia's industry employment peaked at 34.90% in 1997.
The lowest industry employment in Malaysia was 25.93% in 2021.
Malaysia ranks 145th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's industry employment is projected to reach 25.99% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Malaysia in 2025 was 25.96%. This ranks 145th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_industry-employment,
title = {Malaysia Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}