KUALA LUMPUR: The number of unemployed in November 2021 reduced to below 700,000 persons for the first time, the lowest since April 2020, according to the Statistics Department.

       In a statement, chief statistician Dato Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the labour force situation in November 2021 held steady with continuing employment growth and reducing the number of unemployed persons as the revival of more economic and social activities had stimulated a positive vibe to the labour market.

       “November 2021 also saw another five states had moved into Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan except for Kelantan and Sarawak which were still in Phase 3.

       “Additionally, the completed overall vaccination rate remained increasing while the number of daily Covid-19 cases continued to decline.

       “These encouraging circumstances also had resulted in more travelling activities domestic and abroad during the month, hence influencing the labour market in November 2021,” he said.

       Employed persons in November 2021 continued to rise for the fourth consecutive month with an increase of 0.4% month-on-month recording 15.61 million persons (October 2021: 15.55 million persons).

       The employment-to-population ratio which indicates the ability of an economy to create employment went up by 0.2 percentage points to record 66% in November 2021 (October 2021: 65.8%).

       In the meantime, the unemployed persons reduced to the lowest number below 700 thousand persons for the first time since April 2020, with a decrease of 1.5% month-on-month to 694.4 thousand persons (October 2021: 705.0 thousand persons).

       “The unemployment rate in November 2021 was 4.3%, unchanged from the previous month as more in the inactivity group were searching for jobs which then reflected by a decrease of 0.3% in outside labour force to 7.34 million persons during the month (October 2021: 7.36 million persons),” Mohd Uzir said.

       Therefore, the labour force participation rate in November 2021 elevated further to 68.9% (October 2021: 68.8%) with the number of labour force higher by 0.3% to post 16.30 million persons (October 2021: 16.26 million persons).

       Mohd Uzir said Malaysia’s labour force situation had been picking up gradually since August 2021 as most economic and social activities were operating as usual in accordance with strict standard operating procedures.

       “The continuous operation of those activities may also create more job opportunities, thus giving more chances for the jobseekers and subsequently will strengthen the labour market in the upcoming months.

       “With the recent flood disasters that hit the central and east coast of the country, the impact is foreseen to be more localised and may not be substantial to the entire labour market,” he added.