The labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased by 0.1 percentage points to 70.2% versus 70.1% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023, while the number of employed persons edged up by 0.3%, registering 16.40 million persons during the Q1 compared to 16.35 million persons in Q4 2023.

“The unemployment rate in the Q1 2024 remained unchanged at 3.3% as in the last quarter,” chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said in a statement today.

The number of unemployed further decreased to 566,600 persons in March compared to 567,000 in February.

Uzir also highlighted that the number of employed persons continued its upward trend, marking a month-on-month increase of 0.1% to 16.53 million persons, as against 16.51 million persons recorded in February 2024.

Regarding the unemployment rate and LFPR by state, Penang had the lowest unemployment rate among all states at 1.8% during the first quarter of 2024, followed by Kedah (1.9%), Perlis and Selangor (2.0%) and Putrajaya (2.1%).

In contrast, 10 states saw a rise in LFPR, signifying more labour participation in the market where Selangor recorded the highest LFPR at 76.3%, followed by Kuala Lumpur (74.1%), Penang (73.4%), Putrajaya (72.9%) and Johor (71.3%).

In terms of the economic sector, the services sector continued to record a positive trend in the number of employed persons, particularly in the wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage services and information and communication activities.

“The manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying and agriculture sectors were also on an increasing trend in March 2024,” he added.