The skill-related underemployment rate among graduates stood at 36.1% in 2024, with the government aiming to reduce the figure to 30% by 2030.
PETALING JAYA: The skill-related underemployment rate among graduates stood at 36.1% in 2024, with the government aiming to reduce the figure to 30% by 2030, said Human Resources (Kesuma) Minister Datuk Sri R. Ramanan.
In a written parliamentary reply, the minister said the number of skill-related underemployed graduates increased from 1.54 million in 2023 to 1.60 million in 2024, according to the Graduate Statistics Report by the Statistics Department.
“By age group, the number of skill-related underemployed graduates aged below 24 increased to 260,100 in 2024, compared with 226,100 in 2023. In contrast, the number of underemployed graduates aged between 25 and 34 declined to 675,400 in 2024 from 700,900 in 2023.
“By state, Selangor recorded the highest number of skill-related underemployed graduates in 2024 at 572,900, followed by Johor at 149,200 and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur at 105,000,” he said.
Ramanan said the government, through Kesuma under the 13th Malaysia Plan, would address skills mismatches by improving wage policies and strengthening the National Wages Consultative Council to oversee wage-related matters.
He said this included setting suitable starting salaries for graduates, including TVET graduates, and ensuring compliance with the Progressive Wage Policy.
“We will also review the minimum wage regularly by considering living costs to ensure workers receive fair salaries.
“The eMASCO Portal will be enhanced as a comprehensive labour market information platform, including salary-related data, to serve as a key reference for workers and other stakeholders.”
Ramanan said the ministry would continue implementing short- and long-term strategies to address skills mismatches in the labour market, ensuring graduates secure employment that matches their qualifications, expertise and current industry needs.
