Malaysia’s industrial production increases; jobless rate falls

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 9, (dpa-AFX/GNA) - Malaysia’s industrial production increased at a faster pace on the back of strong growth in manufacturing and electricity output, data from the Department of Statistics showed on Tuesday. 

The unemployment rate, meanwhile, hit the lowest level since the Covid-19 outbreak, another report from the statistical office showed. 

Industrial production rose 12.1% year-on-year in June, following a 4.1% increase in May. 

Among sectors, manufacturing output grew the most by 14.5% annually in June, following a 6.9% gain in the prior month. Production in electricity and mining sector logged a growth of 14.1% and 2.1%, respectively in June. 

On a monthly basis, industrial production rose 9.6% in June. 

Separate data from the statistical office revealed that the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in June from 3.9% in May. This was the lowest rate since the Covid-19 outbreak. 

GNA