How many Foreign Workers are there in Malaysia
Documented low-skilled foreign workers showed an increase of 41.1%, reaching a new high approximately 2.5 million individuals as of the end of August 2024 in relation to 1.8 million individuals throughout the equivalent time last year.
International laborers were primarily obtained from Bangladesh with a a share of 37.8%, with Indonesia coming next at 23.7% and Nepal (16.7%). Regarding jobs, 31.5% of these international employees were working in manufacturing, succeeded by construction (28.4%) and the services (18.2%) industries.
At present, unskilled migrant laborers represent 14.8% of overall employment, nearing the permitted limit of 15% according to the Ministry of Finance in its 2025 Economic Outlook report.
Here is a table summarizing the provided information:
| Country | Percentage of Foreign Workers | Sector Employment Distribution | Low-skilled Workers Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 37.8% |
Manufacturing: 31.5% Construction: 28.4% Services: 18.2% |
14.8% |
| Indonesia | 23.7% |
Manufacturing: 31.5% Construction: 28.4% Services: 18.2% |
14.8% |
| Nepal | 16.7% |
Manufacturing: 31.5% Construction: 28.4% Services: 18.2% |
14.8% |
This above table provides a breakdown of the foreign worker distribution in terms of nationality, employment sector, and the percentage of low-skilled workers in the overall workforce.
Number of Expatriates:
| Country | Increase in Percentage of Expatriates | Sector Employment Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| China | 24.1% |
Information Technology:38.7% Services: 26.8% Construction: 10.5% |
| India | 18.3% |
Information Technology: 38.7% Services: 26.8% Construction: 10.5% |
| Philippines | 8% |
Information Technology: 38.7% Services: 26.8% Construction: 10.5% |
Additionally, the total number of expatriates increased by 6.3% to 113,493 persons as of the end of August 2024.
This table summarizes the distribution of expatriates by nationality and sector employment.
“A migrant worker / foreign worker is a person who works in a country where he is not a citizen.”
Program Rekalibrasi Tenaga Kerja 2.0 (RTK) [English: Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0] has been re-introduced by the Malaysian government to regularize illegal immigrants in the country that was opened on 27-January-2023 has ended on 31-December-2023.
“This programme aims to give opportunities to illegal immigrants working in Malaysia to be given legal working permits and enter the permitted sectors,” the ministry replied in a statement.
Number of low-skilled foreign workers near allowable threshold at end-August 2024
Sectors that are dependent on Foreign Workers
Sectors such as Construction, Infrastructure Projects, Roads and Building Development, Manufacturing Units, Production Units, Hotels, Resorts, Golf Course, Restaurants, Malls, Food Courts, Warehouses, Supermarkets, Hospitals, Security Agencies, Agriculture and Plantation are highly dependent on foreign Workers for their smooth functioning.
References:
Foreign Workers in Malaysia
The Star Online
The Edge
International Organization for Migration
Statistica