The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has revealed that the average monthly salaries and wages received by Malaysian employees have risen by 4.4%, increasing from RM3,087 in 2018 to RM3,224 in 2019.

Meanwhile, the median monthly salaries and wages of paid employees have increased by 5.8%, from RM2,308 in 2018 to RM2,442 in 2019.

“The increase in salaries and wages in 2019 was in line with Malaysia’s economic performance, which recorded 4.4% growth at current prices in 2019,” said chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He added that the number of paid employees in Malaysia also saw an increase of 5%, from 8.8 million people in 2018 to 9.2 million in 2019.

Apart from these details, DOSM’s latest Salaries and Wages Survey Report further recorded information on the median and mean monthly income of Malaysians according to various demographic and other socio-economic markers, including gender, strata, and education level.

By gender

The report noted that the median monthly salaries and wages received by male and female employees in 2019 stood at RM2,477 and RM2,370, respectively. This translates to an increase of 5.8% and 6.8% in the earnings of both groups since 2018. Meanwhile, the mean monthly salaries and wages for male employees have increased by 4.1% to RM3,304, and for female employees by 5% to RM3,108 compared to the previous year.

By strata

In 2019, the median monthly income for employees in the urban area rose by 6.2% to RM2,565, whereas those in the rural area saw a slower growth rate of 5.3% to RM1,560. In terms of mean monthly income, however, employees in the rural area showed a greater increase in their income as compared to their counterparts in the urban area. While those in the rural area enjoyed a 6% growth, employees in the urban area saw a lower 4% increase.

By education level

The median and mean monthly salaries and wages for employees with tertiary education remained high, with a 6.9% and 2% growth from 2018, respectively.

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Moving forward, Mohd Uzir said that the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to affect the income received by employees in 2020, particularly those in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, as well as transportation and logistics. “Besides that, the accommodation industry, food and beverage services, and the arts, entertainment and recreational sectors are also expected to be affected by the enforcement of the movement control order,” he said.

Head on over to DOSM’s website for more information on the 2019 Salaries and Wages Survey Report.

(Sources: Department of Statistics Malaysia, The Edge Markets)

• TAGS:
• Covid-19
• Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin
• Department of Statistics Malaysia
• DOSM
• MCO
• Monthly Income
• Monthly Salaries And Wages
• Movement Control Order
• Salaries and Wages Survey Report
• Salaries and Wages Survey Report 2019