In October, the unemployment rate stood at 602,000.

Chief Statistician Uzir Mahidin attributed the lower unemployment rate to a strong labour market benefitting from an increase in economic activity.

The number of those employed in the wholesale and retail trade sector remained high, followed by food and beverages services, and information and communication activities.

Uzir said the manufacturing, construction, agriculture and mining sectors also recorded positive growth.

“In November 2022, the number of employed persons remained upward, with an addition of 0.2% month-on-month to 16.71 million when compared with 16.68 million in October.

“The number of unemployed continued to decrease by 0.2%,” he said in a statement, adding that the current unemployment rate was 3.6%.

He also said he expects the labour market to continue its recovery momentum.