2.96 million women were outside the workforce in 2024 due to household and family responsibilities, a slight decline from 2.98 million in 2022.
PETALING JAYA: Nearly three million women remained outside Malaysia’s labour force between 2022 and 2024 due to household and family responsibilities, as the government moves to address the challenges faced by women juggling work, caregiving duties and rising living costs.
In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 2.96 million women were outside the workforce in 2024 due to household and family responsibilities, a slight decline from 2.98 million in 2022, according to the Labour Force Survey Report published by the Statistics Department in March 2026.
“The ministry has introduced several initiatives under the National Women’s Policy (DWN) and the Women’s Development Action Plan (PTPW) 2025–2030 to increase women’s participation and retention in the workforce.
“These initiatives focus on strengthening the employment ecosystem to make it more conducive and responsive to women, while ensuring that their participation in the workforce can be sustained,” she said.
Nancy said this in response to a question by Dr Hajah Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) on measures to assist women facing the “triple burden” of earning an income, managing family responsibilities and coping with rising living costs.
She added that the Malaysia Care Strategic Framework and Action Plan 2026–2030 would further support women by expanding long-term care services and encouraging more women to become formal and professional caregivers.
“The government supports women’s participation in the labour force through initiatives that provide care services without compromising their well-being.
“To reduce the financial burden of childcare, the government provides a monthly childcare fee subsidy of RM180 for eligible children attending registered childcare centres under the Social Welfare Department (JKM),” she said.
Nancy also highlighted that eligible parents may claim tax relief of up to RM3,000 annually for childcare, transit centre, nursery or kindergarten fees, while parents of children with disabilities are entitled to higher tax relief.
“KPWKM also promotes women’s participation in entrepreneurship through the Kirana programme, which offers skills training and business guidance, while women entrepreneurs are supported through funding opportunities under the RM3 billion Women Entrepreneurs Economic Fund (Dewi) 2026.”
Nancy stressed that the government would continue to strengthen childcare facilities, support for caregivers, the care ecosystem and flexible working arrangements to help women balance family responsibilities and careers.
