Malaysia Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Malaysia's services employment was 64.86% in 2025, ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's services employment stood at 64.86% in 2025, a rise of +0.30% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 65.12% by 2026. Malaysia ranked 103rd globally.
Malaysia’s services sector employment share has risen steadily over the 35‑year span from 48.28 % in 1991 to a record 64.86 % in 2025, placing the country 103rd globally. This upward trajectory reflects structural shifts toward a more service‑oriented economy, mirroring trends in other middle‑income nations such as Slovenia, whose share reached 64.37 % in the same year. The all‑time peak of 64.86 % in 2025 follows a gradual climb that began after the 1991 trough, indicating that services have increasingly absorbed labor displaced from manufacturing and agriculture. The modest gap between Malaysia and peers like Paraguay (65.08 %) and Bahrain (64.26 %) suggests competitive positioning within the region’s service markets. Continued investment in digital infrastructure, skills development, and tourism could sustain the upward momentum, while any slowdown in global demand for services or domestic policy shifts might temper future growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 65.68% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 65.40% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.12% | - | - |
| 2025 | 64.86% | +0.30% | #103 |
| 2024 | 64.56% | +0.31% | #103 |
| 2023 | 64.25% | +0.34% | #105 |
| 2022 | 63.92% | +0.14% | #107 |
| 2021 | 63.78% | +0.42% | #105 |
| 2020 | 63.36% | +1.51% | #106 |
| 2019 | 61.85% | −0.41% | #102 |
| 2018 | 62.26% | +1.27% | #104 |
| 2017 | 60.99% | −0.16% | #103 |
| 2016 | 61.15% | +1.13% | #102 |
| 2015 | 60.01% | +0.33% | #100 |
| 2014 | 59.68% | +0.32% | #101 |
| 2013 | 59.36% | +0.19% | #98 |
| 2012 | 59.17% | −0.50% | #103 |
| 2011 | 59.68% | +0.59% | #104 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's services employment was 64.86% in 2025. Ranked 103rd globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Malaysia's services employment peaked at 64.86% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Malaysia was 48.28% in 1991.
Malaysia ranks 103rd globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's services employment is projected to reach 65.12% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Malaysia in 2025 was 64.86%. This ranks 103rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_services-employment,
title = {Malaysia Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}