Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Malaysia

Vulnerable employment in Malaysia in 2025 — 21.89%. Ranked 71 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 7.25 pp.

2025 21.89% −0.13 pp vs 2024
World rank 71of 182
Period maximum 29.13%1991
Period minimum 21.89%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Malaysia, 1991–202520222426283019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 29.13%1992: 28.74%1993: 28.33%1994: 27.91%1995: 27.5%1996: 27.11%1997: 26.75%1998: 26.59%1999: 26.51%2000: 26.21%2001: 26%2002: 25.77%2003: 25.51%2004: 25.23%2005: 24.93%2006: 24.62%2007: 24.28%2008: 23.97%2009: 23.88%2010: 23.76%2011: 23.63%2012: 23.55%2013: 23.43%2014: 23.27%2015: 23.11%2016: 22.93%2017: 22.74%2018: 22.57%2019: 22.39%2020: 22.55%2021: 22.36%2022: 22.25%2023: 22.15%2024: 22.02%2025: 21.89%
Change over the period: −7.25 pp Annual average: -0.21 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Malaysia

Malaysia 21.89%
World 42.38%
South-Eastern Asia computed 46.83%
Vulnerable employment — Malaysia, by year Malaysia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 21.89 −0.13 pp
2024 22.02 −0.13 pp
2023 22.15 −0.1 pp
2022 22.25 −0.12 pp
2021 22.36 −0.19 pp
2020 22.55 +0.16 pp
2019 22.39 −0.18 pp
2018 22.57 −0.17 pp
2017 22.74 −0.19 pp
2016 22.93 −0.18 pp
2015 23.11 −0.16 pp
2014 23.27 −0.16 pp
2013 23.43 −0.12 pp
2012 23.55 −0.08 pp
2011 23.63 −0.13 pp
2010 23.76 −0.12 pp
2009 23.88 −0.09 pp
2008 23.97 −0.31 pp
2007 24.28 −0.34 pp
2006 24.62 −0.31 pp
2005 24.93 −0.29 pp
2004 25.23 −0.29 pp
2003 25.51 −0.25 pp
2002 25.77 −0.23 pp
2001 26 −0.2 pp
2000 26.21 −0.3 pp
1999 26.51 −0.08 pp
1998 26.59 −0.16 pp
1997 26.75 −0.36 pp
1996 27.11 −0.39 pp
1995 27.5 −0.41 pp
1994 27.91 −0.42 pp
1993 28.33 −0.41 pp
1992 28.74 −0.39 pp
1991 29.13

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.