Selangor tops in economic growth last year

PETALING JAYA: Seven states in Malaysia posted gross domestic product (GDP) growth at a faster pace than the national level (4.3%) in 2019, with Selangor topping the list at 6.7%. Federal Territory (WP) Kuala Lumpur stood at 6.0%, followed by Kelantan (5.3%), WP Labuan (5.2%) Negri Sembilan (5.1%), Kedah (4.6%) and Perlis (4.6%).

Meanwhile, seven states registered better growth compared with the previous year. There are Kelantan 5.3% (2018: 2.6%), Negri Sembilan 5.1% (4.2%), Kedah 4.6% (4.0%), Perlis 4.6% (3.3%), Pahang 3.7% (3.0%), Terengganu 3.3% (2.5%) and Sarawak 2.5% (2.2%).

An improvement in the agriculture sector, which was reinforced by an increase in production of oil palm activity, rubber and vegetables, and a better performance in services sector contributed to the growth momentum in several states.

Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the State Socioeconomic Report 2019 found that the number of graduates in Malaysia increased 6.9% to 5.3 million persons in 2019, from 4.9 million persons in 2018. The graduates labour force participation rate (GLFPR) was 83.5%, a drop from 83.6% in 2018. Selangor and Sabah recorded the highest GLFPR in 2019 at 86.5%, followed by WP Putrajaya 85.9% and Sarawak 85.3%. The lowest GLFPR was posted by Perlis with a rate of 76.1%.

Based on the findings of the Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey, Kuala Lumpur attained the highest median income of RM10,549 followed by Putrajaya (RM9,983), Selangor (RM8,210), Labuan (RM6,726), Johor (RM6,427), Penang (RM6,169) and Malacca (RM6,054).

Meanwhile, a lower rate of unemployment was registered by eight states, among them are Terengganu, Johor, Penang, Sarawak and Putrajaya. Malacca recorded the lowest jobless rate in 2019 at 1.1%.