Malaysia unemployment steady at 3.0% in July, September retrenchments watched
Malaysia's unemployment rate stayed at 3.0% in July 2026 with 520,300 unemployed persons, while labour force participation held at a record 70.9%, according to Kenanga Research. Loss of employment cases fell to 7,526 in August but 3,128 cases were recorded by Sept 10, prompting caution. Kenanga kept its 2026 unemployment forecast at 2.9% and raised its GDP growth forecast to 5.3%.