Malaysia—Total Labor Force
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #37 of 188Updated April 2026
Latest Value
18.7M
2025
YoY Change
+1.8%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#37
of 188 countries
Maximum
18.7M
2025
Minimum
9.0M
2000
CAGR
+3.0%
26 years
Last
18.7M
Previous
18.4M
Highest
18.7M
Lowest
9.0M
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Malaysia's total labor force was 18.7M in 2025, ranking #37 out of 188 countries. This represents a +1.8% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 18.7M (2025) and the lowest was 9.0M (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.7M | +1.8% |
| 2024 | 18.4M | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 18.1M | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 17.7M | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 17.2M | +2.1% |
| 2020 | 16.9M | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 16.6M | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 16.2M | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 15.8M | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 15.4M | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 15.1M | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 14.7M | +3.9% |
| 2013 | 14.2M | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 13.6M | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 13.1M | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 12.7M | +3.4% |
| 2009 | 12.3M | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 11.9M | +3.6% |
| 2007 | 11.5M | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 11.1M | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 10.7M | +3.5% |
| 2004 | 10.3M | +3.5% |
| 2003 | 10.0M | +3.5% |
| 2002 | 9.6M | +3.5% |
| 2001 | 9.3M | +3.5% |
| 2000 | 9.0M |
Top Countries — Total Labor Force
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World | 3.73B | 2025 |
| 2 | China | 767.6M | 2025 |
| 3 | India | 617.6M | 2025 |
| 4 | United States | 174.8M | 2025 |
| 5 | Indonesia | 147.1M | 2025 |
| 6 | Nigeria | 116.6M | 2025 |
| 7 | Brazil | 108.3M | 2025 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 85.2M | 2025 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 74.7M | 2025 |
| 10 | Russian Federation | 72.4M | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Total Labor Force — World Bank World Development Indicators.
Methodology
Data compiled by Staff estimates, World Bank (WB), International Labour Organization (ILO).