RM4,371 is the median monthly salary for graduates in Malaysia in 2019

Graduates across Malaysia earned a median monthly salary of RM4,371 per month in 2019, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Statistics, Malaysia. 

The recently released State Socioeconomic Report 2019 also revealed the median monthly salaries and wages of employed graduates in four states: 

• W.P. Kuala Lumpur: RM5,471
• W.P. Putrajaya: RM4,540
• Selangor: RM4,600
• Sabah: RM4,531

The report also revealed that the number of graduates in Malaysia increased by 6.9%, from 4.9mn people in 2018 to 5.3mn people in 2019. 

The number of graduates in Malaysia was 5.3mn persons in 2019, increased by 6.9% from 4.9mn persons in 2018. The highest number of graduates was recorded by Selangor (1.65mn), Johor (493,100) and W.P. Kuala Lumpur (446,700).

However, the graduate labour force participation rate (GLFPR) decreased by 0.1 percentage points - from 83.6% in 2018 to 83.5% in 2019. By state, Selangor and Sabah recorded the highest GLFPR in 2019 at 86.5% followed by W.P. Putrajaya at 85.9% and Sarawak 85.3%. On the other hand, the lowest GLFPR recorded by Perlis with 76.1%.

Overall, the labour force in Malaysia increased by 2.0% - from 15.3mn in 2018 to approximately 15.6mn in 2019. At the same time, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) rose by 0.4 percentage points - from 68.3% in 2018 to 68.7% last year. 

At the state level, an increase in LFPR was recorded in eight states, amongst them are W.P. Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak and Melaka. 

Data on gross household income was also revealed. In 2019, the mean income in Malaysia was RM7,901 while the median amounted to RM5,873. 

At the state level, W.P. Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest median income with RM10,549 followed by:

• W.P. Putrajaya (RM9,983)
• Selangor (RM8,210)
• W.P. Labuan (RM6,726)
• Johor (RM6,427)
• Pulau Pinang (RM6,169)
• Melaka (RM6,054)

In terms of growth, the median income in Malaysia grew by 3.9% per year in 2019 (2016: 6.6%) while the mean income rose by 4.2% in 2019. By state, W.P. Putrajaya had the highest compounded annual growth rate for median income at 6.3% over the period of 2016 to 2019, higher than the national median growth rate (3.9%).

Scroll through the infographic for more findings.

Infographic / Department of Statistics, Malaysia

Photo / 123RF.com