The Statistics Department (DOSM) in a report today said the current number of unemployed Malaysians was 745,100. In June, there were 773,200 jobless people.

The number of employed people grew by 0.6% to 15.07 million in July against 14.99 million in June, it said in this month’s Statistics of Labour Force in Malaysia findings.

A significant increase in employment was seen in the services sector – mainly in accommodation, food, beverages, transport and storage-related activities.

“There was also a slight increase (in employment) in art, entertainment and recreational activities,” the report said.

In July, the number of self-employed people decreased by almost 37,000. This group mostly consisted of daily wage earners working in farmers’ markets, night markets, stalls and also freelancers. They were reported to be the most affected group due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

DOSM said job opportunities would continue to increase in the coming months unless there was another spike in Covid-19 cases.

“As the economic activities reopen continuously coupled with more travelling activity, domestic demand may see an uplift and subsequently an increase in job opportunities,” it said.

However, it cautioned that in the second half of the year, potential labour supply would enter the job market, particularly new graduates, which would impact jobseekers as the market becomes more competitive.

“New emerging job opportunities largely driven by technology and automation could be alternatives for the new graduates,” it added.

The report also said people outside the labour force – including housewives, students, retirees, disabled persons and those not interested in looking for a job – stood at 7.4 million. Of that number 38.4% are still in school.

The report added that the unemployment rate for adults aged 25 years and above was at 3.2%, whereas in June it was at 3.3%.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for youths aged 15 to 24 years rose by 0.8% to 13.9% compared with June when it stood at 13.1%.