Malaysia recorded 5.74 million graduates in 2023, a 4.2 percent increase from the previous year. Over two-thirds of graduates were employed in skilled occupations. According to the Graduates Statistics 2023 report, a positive economic and labor market environment throughout 2023 contributed to this growth. Graduates made up 22.3 percent of the working-age population aged 15 and above. Of the total graduates, 4.
92 million were active in the labor force, translating to a Graduate Labour Force Participation Rate (GLFPR) of 85.7 percent. Degree holders comprised 54.4 percent (3.12 million), while diploma holders accounted for 45.6 percent (2.62 million). Year-on-year, the number of degree graduates in the labor force rose by 5.4 percent, while diploma holders increased by 3.5 percent, supported by improved employment opportunities and lower unemployment rates. Graduates, as defined in the report, are individuals with the highest certificate obtained from universities, colleges, polytechnics, recognized bodies, or their equivalent, with a study duration of at least two years. Employed graduates grew by 4.9 percent to 4.76 million in 2023, compared to 4.53 million in 2022. Approximately 67.6 percent of employed graduates, or 3.21 million individuals, were in skilled occupations, with professionals making up the largest proportion (57.4 percent), followed by technicians and associate professionals (24.2 percent), and managers (18.5 percent). Graduates in semi-skilled roles represented 31.3 percent of employment (1.49 million), while those in low-skilled categories accounted for just 1.1 percent (51,800). By economic sector, the majority of graduates were employed in the services sector, comprising 77.5 percent of graduate employment (3.69 million)