500,000 Malaysians jobless, mainly first-time job-seekers

Diploma holders make up the biggest group of job-seekers, followed by SPM holders.

DEWAN RAKYAT

The highest number of unemployed are from the younger group who are just entering the job market. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: About 500,000 Malaysians are currently jobless, with the highest rate of unemployment in Labuan (8.6%), followed by Sabah (5.5%) and Terengganu (4.5%).

The highest number of unemployed are in the age group of 15 to 24 (10.8%), followed by 25-34 (2.9%), 35-44 (1.1%), 45-54 (1%) and 55-64 (0.4%).

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmi Ali, who gave the figures in the Dewan Rakyat today, said diploma holders comprised the biggest group of job-seekers followed by SPM holders.

“The highest number of unemployed are from the younger group who are just entering the job market,” he said in a written reply to Zahidi Zainul Abidin (BN-Padang Besar).

Zahidi had asked Azmin to state the number of unemployed and their qualifications. He also wanted to know the long-term measures to reduce unemployment among youths.

Azmin said there were measures to reduce unemployment by identifying market needs and through re-skilling and up-skilling training.

“There are also soft skills training, on-the-job training and professional skill training,” he added. -FMT