Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 1
KPRU Working Paper
The Findings of Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015: Broken Malaysia Dream1 by Ooi Teik Khim
March 2018
Ooi Teik Khim is an economist affiliated with the think tank Political Studies for Change
(KPRU).
1. Introduction
Lately, there is a social movement calling for young voters to boycott elections or deliberately
spoil their votes during the upcoming14th General Election called #UndiRosak. As expected, this
movement received backlash from politicians across both sides of Barisan National (BN) and
Pakatan Harapan (PH). During the process, various commenters and NGO reiterate the
importance of voting and everyone should exercise their right to vote to preserve democracy in
Malaysia. Yet, no one attempt to understand the rationale behind #UndiRosak and its
attractiveness to young voters. A young activist Maryam stated that “Spoiling your votes is
exercising your voting rights and telling PH and BN that we don’t like the both of you.”2 What
is the source of youth’s frustration towards politics?
The findings from Graduate Tracer Study reveal the dreadful situation that recent graduates are
facing in employment, which opposes current public perception. So far, media and public
attribute (college) graduate unemployment to high asking salary, skill mismatch, bad
communication skill and bad attitude of graduates. While there is insufficient evident to defend
graduates against skill mismatch, Graduate Tracer Study provides statistical evidences showing i)
majority of unemployed graduates do not ask for unrealistically high salaries, ii) most of
graduates are keen for jobs, iii) most of graduates aware of their weakness in English and
communication skill, and wish to attend relevant training courses.
Additionally, the starting salaries for graduates has been stagnated with minor increment, and
half of diploma graduates are not permanent workers. But the worst is the 3P characteristic of
graduate unemployment – majority of unemployed graduates come from poor families
(low-income households) and poor states (low-income states) with poor social standing
(presumably lower social class). It is a strong indicator of inequality within the society as not all
graduates are equal at employment as graduates from rich families and high-income states with
1 I thank Lau Wee Yeap, Ong Wooi Leng, Lee Hwok Aun and Keely Cheong Mei Lin for comments and opinions,
Lim YiZhe for research assistance, and Machang Bubuk State Assemblyman YB Lee Khai Loon for his support on
this research. I also thank Ooi Heng and KPRU for providing a platform to publish this working paper. The views
presented are those of the author. 2
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/undirosak-says-already-creating-waves#mYHkMdGbhKG3A
Bo7.99
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 2
better social networking have advantage at employment.
Therefore, youth’s frustration towards politics as shown in the recent #UndiRosak movement
might originate from the dire employment situation they have been facing, and lack of attention
on such issues from the public and politics. Growing up, the current generation of youths
witnessed many achieving the Malaysian dream and the constant emphasis that tertiary education
holds the key to a better life. They witnessed numerous success stories in which someone from a
low-income family achieve middle/upper class through tertiary education and hard work.
However, graduates today realize it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to secure jobs, the
salaries for fresh graduates has stagnated, and job market is biased towards graduates from better
background. Everything is different from their expectations as they graduate and struggle for
jobs, good income, and buying a house. Yet, there is little attention paid in politics to mend their
broken dreams.
Up to date, the most comprehensive survey for graduates has been the Graduate Tracer Survey
conducted by the Ministry of Education since 2008, which is carried out during convocation for
graduates. The sample size of respondent for the Graduate Tracer Survey was enormously huge
with 229,568 in 2015. So far, no comprehensive research or report based on data from
2007-2015 Graduate Tracer Survey were found on internet. Perhaps, it is because Graduate
Tracer Surveys are only available in PDF and unavailable in excel file, and it does not provide
the time series trend of survey results. The data conversion of PDF to excel format was tedious
and time consuming as each annual report contains almost one hundred pages of data. Thus, the
findings of 2007-2015 Graduate Tracer Survey in in this paper should be the first of its kind in
Malaysia.
2. Nine Findings in the Graduate Tracer Survey report 2007-2015
conducted by the Ministry of Education, Malaysia
2.1. Unemployed graduates did not ask for unrealistically high
salary3
In 2014 and 2015, more than 80% unemployed degree graduates expected salary less than
RM3000. (Figure 2.11) In 2014 and 2015, more than 70% unemployed diploma graduates
expected salary less than RM2000. (Figure 2.12) Higher salary was also not the top criteria for
consideration when came to job consideration for unemployed diploma and degree graduates in
2014 and 2015. (Figure 2.13)
The perception of graduates asking for unrealistically high salary might occur due to employed
graduates who are still looking for better jobs. (Figure 2.14 and 2.15) Each year, the number of
employed degree and diploma graduates who are still looking for job is almost equal to the
3 Please note that unemployment in Graduate Tracer Study simply indicates not yet working (“belum bekerja’), it
includes voluntary unemployment such as health problem. not interested to work, rest at house, do not want to work.
Kindly refer to figure 4.4 Reasons for unemployment for unemployment graduates for example.
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 3
number of unemployed degree and diploma graduates.
2.2. Low salary growth for diploma and degree graduates
There were still roughly 35% of diploma graduates employed with salary lower than RM1000 in
2015, despite a declining trend. (Figure 2.21) More than 70% of diploma graduates have been
employed with salary less than RM 1500 during 2007-2015. There was a significant growth in
salary for degree graduates in 2015 as 16.3% more graduates were employed with salary more
than RM 3000. (Figure 2.22) Yet, roughly half of degree graduates were employed with salary
less than RM 2500 in 2015. During 2007-2014, at least 70% of degree holders earned less than
RM2500. It matches Khazanah (2016) findings of stagnant wage growth in Malaysia, and Lee
and Abdul Khalid (2016) findings of low wage growth for young workers based on data from
Employees Provident Fund.4
Interestingly, the percentage of diploma graduates went to further their study drop from 27.9% in
2008 to 10.1% in 2015. (Figure 2.44) After weighing the high cost and time consumption of
degree education, low wage growth and persistently high graduate unemployment rate for degree
graduates, investment in degree education looks risky with low return for diploma graduates.5 It
looks riskier for diploma graduates from low-income families because most of them will borrow
from PTPTN to fund their degree education.
Low wage growth and high graduate unemployment might have impacted education mobility in
Malaysia society as it discourages diploma graduates from low-income families to further their
study. In Graduate Tracer Study, family income seems to be a significant factor at diploma
graduates further their study as family income was positively correlated with the percentage of
graduates further their study. (Figure 2.23)
2.3. Half of employed diploma graduates are not permanent workers
During 2008-2015, more than 50% of employed graduates are permanent workers. (Figure 2.31)
However, half of employed diploma graduates are not permanent workers. (Figure 2.32)
Considering the near-stagnant growth in salary and non-permanent worker employment,
employed graduates should be actively looking for permanent jobs with better salaries. Therefore,
it will lead to frequent job hooping among youth and high labor mobility for graduates. These
findings are consistent with Penang Institute (2018), which found that labor circulation in high in
Penang.
2.4. Graduates are keen for jobs
JobStreet claimed that one of the factors for graduate unemployment is the bad attitude of recent
4 Khazanah Research Institute (2016). “The State of Households II.” executive summary, page xx 5 High graduate unemployment rate will be shown in later section 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 4
graduates.6 Yet, graduates were keen for jobs as majority of them started to look for jobs during
last semester and as soon as course ends. (Figure 2.41 & 2.42) Roughly 95% of unemployed
started to look for jobs within 6 months after finishing their courses in 2014 and 2015. (Figure
2.43) Among unemployed graduates, around 70% of unemployed graduates were actively
looking for jobs. Compare to roughly 80% of unemployed degree graduates actively looking for
jobs, only around 66% of diploma graduates were looking for jobs as some diploma graduates
decided to further study. (Figure 2.44, 2.45 &2.46) Considering their strong determination to
obtain jobs, job-seeking graduates with bad attitude should be the minority. Additionally, only
a few percentage of graduates became unemployed after rejecting jobs that were not suitable to
them, which implies majority of unemployed graduates were not picky in job selection.
2.5. Graduates are aware of their skill deficit
There have been persistent claims about skill deficit of graduates leading to graduate
unemployment in Malaysia. In a World Bank – Talent Corp’s graduate employment survey 2014
where 200 companies were interview,7 81% companies rate communication skills as the major
skill deficit in graduates, while 90% of companies feel more practical training should be
provided graduates by universities. (Figure 2.518) Interestingly, graduates of 2014/2015 were
aware of their weakness in communication skill as English communication and interpersonal
skill were their top choices for training programs. (Figure 2.52 & 2.53) Yet, somehow, they still
ended up with deficit at communication skills and English during job-seeking. Is the education
system the root cause of graduates’ deficit at communication skills and English?
2.6. Majority of unemployed graduates come from low income
families9
Many unemployed graduates come from poor families with income lower than national
household median income. (Figure 2.61, 2.62 and 2.63) The number of unemployed graduates
(respondents from the survey) has exceeded 40,000 since 2012, which comprised about
20,000-degree graduates and 18,000 diploma graduates in 2015. (Figure 2.64, 2.65 and 2.66) The
median household incomes for families in Malaysia 2009-2014 are:
Year 2009 2012 2014
Median Household Income in Malaysia RM 2,841 RM 3,626 RM 4,585
6
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/02/09/its-your-attitude-not-lack-of-experience-jobseekers-t
old/ 7 https://www.talentcorp.com.my/facts-and-figures/matching-talents-to-jobs 8 https://www.talentcorp.com.my/facts-and-figures/matching-talents-to-jobs Caveat: However, Talent Corp did
not publish their report online and did not reveal whether employer rejected graduates with reference to above skill
deficit. 9 Please note that unemployment in Graduate Tracer Study simply indicates not yet working (“belum bekerja’), it
includes voluntary unemployment such as health problem. not interested to work, rest at house, do not want to work.
Kindly refer to figure 4.4 Reasons for unemployment for unemployment graduates for example.
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 5
The findings in Graduate Tracer Survey also suggests inequality at employment. First, there have
been obvious pattern ins diploma and degree graduate unemployment in terms of family income,
which unemployment rate has been negatively correlated with family incomes. (Figure 2.67 &
2.68) Second, the employment time series for diploma and degree graduates also show similar
pattern, which employment rate has been positively correlated with family incomes. (Figure 2.69
& 2.610) Those employment and unemployment patterns for graduates strongly point to
inequality at working opportunity because graduates from lower income families have
disadvantages at employment. Education mobility may not lead to equality at working
opportunity in Malaysia.
2.7. Graduate unemployment rate is higher in low-income states
With reference to the Household Income & Basic Amenities Survey Report 2009-2014 and
Salaries & Wages Survey Report 2010-2015, Department of Statistic, Malaysia, low-income state
is defined as states with median household income and median salaries & wages that are lower
than national median figure; while high income state is the opposite. Based on this simple
definition, low-income states are Kelantan, Pahang, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah, Terengganu,
and Sarawak; while high income states are Penang, Melaka, Johor, Labuan, Selangor, Putra Jaya
and Kuala Lumpur. (Figure 2.71 and 2.72) Negeri Sembilan is an odd case because it has median
household income higher than national median figure, but median salaries & wages lower than
national median figure. Generally, graduates come from low-income states have higher
unemployment rate, where it is higher than national average. (Figure 2.73) Vice versa, graduates
come from high income states have lower unemployment rate, where it is lower than national
average. (Figure 2.73) Among the states, Selangor, Johor and Kelantan were the three states with
highest number of unemployed graduates. (Figure 2.74)
There is a discrepancy between graduate unemployment rate in Graduate Tracer Study and the
commonly perceived unemployment rate. Formally, unemployment is defined as a situation
when someone of working age is actively looking for employment but unable to find work. In
Graduate Tracer Study, unemployment simply indicates unemployed graduates without filtering
out voluntary unemployed graduates.10 However, it is still possible to estimate the labor force
participation rate and unemployment rate for graduates at national level, because Graduate
Tracer Study listed down the reasons for unemployment for unemployed graduates that include
unemployed graduates still looking for jobs. (Figure 2.75 and 2.76)
By defining graduates labour force (LF) in the survey
10 Technically, Graduate Tracer Study use Malay language, and it uses “belum bekerja”
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 6
At national level, the average real graduate unemployment rate for all graduates, diploma
graduates and degree graduates during 2007 to 2015 were 26%, 28% and 28% respectively. It
was well above the unemployment rate for youth aged 20-24, which was averagely 9% during
2007 to 2015. (Figure 2.77, 2.78 & 2.79) However, this paper unable to estimate the real
unemployment rate at state level as Graduate Tracer Study only provides reasons for
unemployment for unemployed graduates at national level.
2.8. Social capital is a decisive factor in graduate employment11
Social capital in the form of family and friends is a decisive factor in helping employed
graduates to obtain jobs. Roughly one-third of graduates have relied on family and friends as
their job-searching method. (Figure 2.81) While social capital plays a diminishing role as
job-searching method for employed degree graduate over time (Figure 2.82), it remains as the
primary job-searching method for employed diploma graduates at an astonishingly high of 40%.
(Figure 2.83) In contrast to employed graduate’s high dependence on family and friends, social
capital has minimal influence at helping unemployed graduates at job-searching. Mainly, internet
and JobsMalaysia have been primary job-searching method for unemployed graduates. (Figure
2.84, 2.85 and 2.86)
Social capital might be a significant factor at helping graduates obtain a job interview as well.
Graduate Tracer Study shows that 30%-40% of unemployed graduates never attend a job
interview, while another 40%-50% attended less than 5 job interviews during 2008-2015. Do
unemployed graduates disadvantage at social capital in job-searching extend to job interview?
2.9. Public universities in low-income states have higher graduate
unemployment rate12
At first glance, location seems to matter as public universities in high-income states have lower
unemployment rate. (Figure 2.91) There is an outlier in UPSI from Perak that produces graduates
for the high-demand education industry. But most public universities in high-income states have
better ranking too. It can be interpreted as public universities with better tanking and situated in
high-income states have lower unemployment rate. (Figure 2.92) It is inconclusive for 55 private
universities and 40 college universities as most of them are situated in high-income states and
without ranking.
3 Conclusion
The rise in graduate and youth unemployment is a potential threat to Malaysia social and
11 Please note that unemployment in Graduate Tracer Study simply indicates not yet working (“belum bekerja’), it
includes voluntary unemployment such as health problem. not interested to work, rest at house, do not want to work.
Kindly refer to figure 4.4 Reasons for unemployment for unemployment graduates for example. 12 Please note that unemployment in Graduate Tracer Study simply indicated not yet working (“belum bekerja’), it
includes voluntary unemployment such as health problem. not interested to work, rest at house, do not want to work.
Kindly refer to figure 4.4 Reasons for unemployment for unemployment graduates for example.
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 7
political stability. First, since 2000, the unemployment rate and unemployed number for youth
aged 20-24 and 25-29 have been steadily increased and never fall below its level during 2000,
regardless Malaysia GDP growth. (Figure 3.01) First, out of 450,300 unemployed (yet actively
looking for jobs) persons in Malaysia, 365,200 are youth aged under 30, which implies 81% of
unemployed persons are youth aged under 30.13 (Figure 3.02) Second, plenty of graduates are
believed to be underemployed with jobs at fast food outlets like KFC, McDonald's. Third, many
of graduates are facing the problem of stagnated income. At this stage, some youth has publicly
voiced their displeasure through the #UndiRosak movement, which is starting to gain momentum.
What if the current slow-down in real estate market turns out to be a slump, which lead to
mortgage and banking crisis, subsequently economic crisis? Under such circumstance, worsening
graduate and overall unemployment might trigger social unrest, and evolve into political unrest
as witnessed in Malaysia and Indonesia during Asia Financial Crisis 1997/98, or recent youth
demonstration in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This paper shows that the main factors of unemployment might not be graduates asking for
unrealistic salaries, picky about jobs and company, and bad attitude which are commonly
accepted by the public. Further, by identifying the 3P in graduate unemployment, the government
knows that graduates from poor (low income) families and poor (low-income) states with poor
social connection are their target group at tackling graduate unemployment. 3P in graduate
unemployment might happen for two reasons: 1) low-income states offers insufficient job
opportunities for graduates, 2) when graduates from low-income states migrate to high-income
states to look for jobs, they lose out to local graduates who have better social capital. It also helps
to explain why graduate unemployment rates are generally lower in high-income states and a big
portion of unemployed graduates never attend job interview, because social connection is the
primary job-searching method for employed graduates.
Hopefully, the Ministry of Education would disclose the raw data of Graduate Tracer Study for
further research and identification of unemployed 3P graduates. Then, the Malaysian government
can come up with more efficient policies targeting graduates with 3P background. These findings
are important as accurate diagnosis of graduate unemployment will lead to correct policy, while
inaccurate diagnosis could lead to wrong policy.
The findings of 3P in graduate unemployment also reveal the problem of unequal opportunities
at graduate unemployment, which cast a shadow over social mobility in Malaysia. Recently,
there were plenty of relevant researches done such as Abdul Khalid (2016) that studied
intergenerational mobility in educational attainment, occupational skill, and income status; Lee
and Abdul Khalid (2016) studies equality in earnings and wealth. While Abdul Khalid (2016)
conclude Malaysia is a fairly-mobile society with 19% of child’s income is related to his/her
parent’s income after interviewing parents to children born between 1975 and 1990; Lee and
Abdul Khalid (2016) reports rising inequality in wages (proxied by EPF saving) and wealth
(proxied by property sales, car sales, and unit trust funds). If the problem of graduate
employment remains unsolved, likely more and more graduates of 3P background will be
13 Author own calculation based on labour force and employment statistics from the Department of Statistics,
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© 2018 KPRU 8
unemployed, it will become a prominent threat to social and political stability in Malaysia in
long run if inequality at job opportunities leads to lower social mobility. Generally, education has
been the best way perceived by the public to achieve a better life. If education is no longer a
useful way to achieve a better life, and the society is well-aware of it, more social unrest might
follow. More public and political attention are required on graduate employment immediately.
References
Ministry of Education, Malaysia. “The Graduate Tracer Survey Report”, 2007-2015.
Lee, Hwok-Aun and Muhammed Abdul Khalid (2016). “Is Inequality in Malaysia really going
down? A puzzle explored.” Paper presented at the Development Research Group (DECRG)
Kuala Lumpur Seminar Series, 13 October 2016, Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur.
Abdul Khalid, Muhammed (2016). “Climbing the Ladder: Socioeconomic Mobility in
Malaysia.” Khazanah Research Institute
Khazanah Research Institute (2016). “The State of Households II.”
Penang Institute (2018). “Penang Skilled Workforce Study”
Political Studies for Change
© 2018 KPRU 9
Figures
Figure 2.11 Unemployed Degree Holder Expected Monthly Salary in 2015 (left) and 2014 (right)
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.12 Unemployed Diploma Holder Expected Monthly Salary in 2015 (left) and 2014
(right)
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.13 Top Job Consideration for Unemployed Graduates in Percentage
Qualification Diploma Degree
Sample Size 19484 20,810 28,251 29,657
Criteria 2014 2015 2014 2015
Job security 29.5 28.9 15.0 29.0
Valuable working experience 20.5 21.6 30.7 24.7
Higher salary 19.0 18.8 9.8 14.8
Flexible working hours 14.2 14.5 2.9 14.3
Working satisfication 10.5 9.6 2.7 10.0
Benefit (Medical benefit / bonus) 4.3 4.7 15.7 3.6
Promotion opportunity 2.1 2.0 23.3 3.6
100.1 100.1 100.1 100
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.14 Percentage of Employed Graduates Still Looking for Jobs
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Sample Size 69,954 87,911 97,289 103,290 101,272 101,617 121,740
Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ph.D 19.6 18.5 18.6 18.7 18.6 20.8 22.4
Master 31.8 35.3 33.5 35.3 34.4 36.7 34.4
Postgraduate Diploma 4.8 6.3 17.1 30.5 28.5 36.7 49.2
First Degree 48.5 45.4 45.1 45.1 47.0 53.6 37.6
Advanced Diploma 24.0 32.6 30.6 29.4 28.1 31.7 47.6
Diploma 63.3 64.1 61.3 61.1 60.1 61.9 60.9
Certificate 71.0 69.6 66.4 57.5 48.6 56.0 52.7
Professional 50.0 46.4 17.9 33.0 26.4 37.3 33.5
Postgraduate Certificate 0.0 0.0 0.0 33.3 22.2 4.2 33.3
Overall 51.6 49.5 49.5 49.6 49.7 54.1 45.5
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.15 The Number of Employed Graduates Still Looking for Jobs
Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Ph. D 87 110 124 174 180 249 313
Master 1,857 2,617 3,049 3,438 3,507 4,053 4,035
Postgraduate Diploma 64 176 99 131 258 134 61
First Degree 18,525 21,724 23,458 23,517 22,788 25,961 23,532
Advanced Diploma 135 265 237 261 262 329 182
Diploma 10,603 13,756 17,185 20,737 21,204 22,746 24,659
Certificate 4,819 4,847 3,996 2,942 2,142 1,461 2,559
Professional 21 13 19 34 23 59 56
Postgraduate Certificate 0 0 0 1 2 1 2
Overall 36,111 43,507 48,166 51,235 50,367 54,993 55,400
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.21 Percentage of Diploma Holder Monthly Salary
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.22 Percentage of First Degree Holder Monthly Salary
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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© 2018 KPRU 12
Figure 2.611 The Distribution on Diploma Graduates Who Further their Study based on Family
Income
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.31 Percentage of Permanent Employed Graduate based on Qualification
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.32 Percentage of Contract / Temporary Employed Graduate based on Qualification
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.41 Time When Employed Diploma Graduates Start to Look for Jobs
Sample Size 15,911 12,105 15,860 25,643 25,339 27,270 36,167
Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
As soon as course ends 26.5 24.5 22.5 42.2 41.5 41.7 40.5
Last semester 43.2 40.9 41.8 21.1 21.1 20.2 20.4
Offer by sponsor 4.4 5.4 5.4 4.5 4.1 3.7 3.8
After 1 months 11.8 12.6 13.1 13.9 14.4 14.7 14.9
After 2 months 5.1 5.6 6.0 5.9 6.1 6.7 6.8
After 3 months 3.1 3.8 3.9 4.2 4.7 5.0 4.7
After 4 months 1.0 1.7 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.3
After 5 months 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.4 1.4
After 6 months 2.0 2.6 4.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.3
More than 6 months NA NA NA 3.9 0.9 0.9 0.9
More than 12 months NA NA NA NA 0.4 0.3 0.4
Others 2.2 1.9 NA NA 2.0 1.8 2.6
100 100 100 100 100 99.9 100
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.42 Time When Employed Degree Graduates Start to Look for Jobs
Sample Size 33,805 30,581 34,181 40,784 35,838 38,025 50,016
Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
As soon as course ends 37.1 30.3 33.2 35.5 33.9 34.2 33.9
Last semester 35.0 35.4 34.7 33.2 34.2 33.3 28.9
Offer by sponsor 5.8 7.7 6.0 6.1 5.9 5.1 9.7
After 1 months 10.8 11.9 11.8 11.9 12.5 13.3 12.0
After 2 months 3.5 4.9 5.4 4.8 5.0 6.0 4.9
After 3 months 1.5 2.5 2.9 2.3 2.6 3.1 2.8
After 4 months 0.5 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8
After 5 months 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5
After 6 months 0.8 0.5 4.7 5.3 0.6 0.6 0.8
More than 6 months NA 0.3 NA NA 0.4 0.4 0.6
More than 12 months NA 0.4 NA NA 0.5 0.3 0.7
Others 4.8 5.2 NA NA 3.4 2.4 4.6
100 100.2 99.9 100.2 100.2 99.9 100.2
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.43 Time When Unemployed Graduates Start to Look for Jobs
Qualification Diploma Degree
Sample Size 19,485 20,810 28,251 29,657
Year 2014 2015 2014 2015
As soon as course ends 36.7 37.6 37.7 37.2
Last semester 17.0 17.4 20.5 18.2
After 1 months 11.8 11.6 16.6 18.1
After 2 months 11.2 10.9 10.3 10.5
After 3 months 8.6 8.5 7.4 7.8
After 4 months 3.6 3.4 2.2 2.4
After 5 months 3.2 3.1 1.8 1.2
After 6 months 3.0 2.5 1.2 1.9
More than 6 months 2.2 2.1 1.1 1.3
More than 12 months 1.5 1.6 0.5 0.6
Others 1.0 1.4 0.7 0.9
99.8 100.1 100 100.1
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.44 Reasons for Unemployment for All Unemployed Graduates
Sample Size 33,164 41,513 42,955 44,194 51,835 53,282 52,219 54,852
Avg Reasons 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Still looking for jobs 70.6 71.8 71.5 69.5 71.1 74.8 72.9 73.4 72.0
Further study 17.4 16.7 16.2 12.2 7.4 4.5 5.4 5.9 10.7
Having a rest 2.8 2.9 3.4 4.6 6.4 7.0 7.1 7.2 5.2
Family responsibility 2.1 2.0 2.5 3.6 3.8 3.9 4.4 4.6 3.4
Job not suitable 2.8 2.2 2.1 3.0 3.2 3.4 3.4 2.8 2.9
Voluntary unemployed 0.4 0.4 0.5 1.2 1.8 1.3 1.5 1.3 1.1
Not interested to work 0.3 0.4 0.3 1.1 1.1 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.8
Lack of self-confidence to work 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.8
Health problem 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6
Refusing to relocate NA NA NA NA NA 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2
Others 2.4 2.5 2.3 3.3 3.5 2.6 2.7 2.3 2.7
99.9 100 99.9 100 99.9 100 100 100 100.0
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.45 Reasons for Unemployment for Unemployed Diploma Graduates
Sample Size 8,256 9,405 11,941 14,470 16,978 21,120 20,767 20,180 21,520
Reasons 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Still looking for jobs 85.3 61.1 61.4 64.4 63.2 64.9 71.2 65.7 66.6
Further study NA 27.9 28.5 24.6 17.7 12.0 7.6 9.7 10.1
Having a rest NA 2.2 2.1 2.6 4.4 5.8 6.3 7.2 7.3
Family responsibility 2.9 1.9 2.0 2.3 3.5 3.8 3.8 4.9 5.1
Job not suitable 3.1 2.1 1.8 1.6 3.1 3.4 3.7 4.1 3.3
Voluntary unemployed 1.2 0.4 0.5 0.5 1.7 2.9 1.7 2.0 1.8
Not interested to work 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.6 1.7 1.3 1.4 1.5
Lack of self-confidence to work 1.6 1.1 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.2 0.8 1.1 0.9
Health problem NA 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.8
Refusing to relocate NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.4 0.3 0.3
Others 5.0 2.4 2.0 2.2 3.1 3.7 2.4 2.7 2.3
99.9 100 100 100 100.1 100 99.9 99.9 100
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.46 Reasons for Unemployment for Unemployed Degree Graduates
Sample Size 18,199 17,512 22,640 21,648 21,166 26,094 28,922 28,700 30,108
Reasons 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Still looking for jobs 88.6 81.3 81.8 81.6 78.2 77.8 78.6 78.4 79.0
Further study NA 5.7 2.5 5.3 3.6 3.1 2.2 6.8 2.3
Having a rest NA 3.5 1.9 4.1 5.0 6.6 7.3 4.0 7.2
Family responsibility 2.2 2.1 0.3 2.5 3.8 3.9 3.8 3.0 4.1
Job not suitable 3.5 3.3 0.6 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.1 2.4 2.5
Voluntary unemployed 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.8
Not interested to work 0.4 0.2 6.0 0.2 1.0 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.7
Lack of self-confidence to work 0.6 0.6 0.3 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5
Health problem NA 0.4 3.4 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5
Refusing to relocate NA NA NA NA NA NA 0.2 0.2 0.2
Others 4.1 2.6 2.8 2.5 3.4 3.0 2.3 2.4 2.1
99.9 100 100 100.1 100 100 100.1 100 99.9
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.51 Trends in Graduates Employability, Key Findings from the MEM Report 14
14 https://www.talentcorp.com.my/facts-and-figures/matching-talents-to-jobs
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Figure 2.52 First Choice Training Program for Graduates in Percentage in 2014
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.53 First Choice Training Program for Graduates in Percentage in 2015
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.61 The Percentage of Unemployed Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.62 The Percentage of Unemployed Degree Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.63 The Percentage of Unemployed Diploma Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.64 The Number of Unemployed Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.65 The Number of Unemployed Degree Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.66 The Number of Unemployed Diploma Graduates based on Household Incomes
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.67 The Distribution on Unemployed Diploma Graduates based on Family Income
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.68 The Distribution on Unemployed Degree Graduates based on Family Income
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.69 The Distribution on Employed Diploma Graduates based on Family Income
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.610 The Distribution on Employed Degree Graduates based on Family Income
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.71 Median Monthly Household Income by State
Year 2007 2009 2012 2014 Remarks
Kelantan 1510 1713 2276 2716
Low- income states
Pahang 2235 2479 3067 3389
Perak 1905 2094 2665 3451
Kedah 1756 1966 2633 3451
Perlis 1746 1832 2387 3500
Sabah 1889 2066 2860 3745
Terengganu 1796 2096 3034 3777
Sarawak 2250 2394 3047 3778
Negeri Sembilan 2556 2711 3575 4128
Malaysia 2552 2841 3626 4585 Reference
Pulau Pinang 2902 3200 4039 4702
High-income states
Melaka 2717 3005 3923 5029
Johor 2726 2958 3650 5197
W.P. Labuan 2777 3498 5063 5684
Selangor 4046 4306 5353 6214
W.P. Putrajaya 4288 5450 6486 7512
W.P. Kuala Lumpur 3697 4409 5847 7620
Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Figure 2.72 Median Monthly Salaries & Wages by State
Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Remarks
Sabah 800 750 800 900 1000 1100
Low-income states
Kelantan 950 1000 1000 1000 1040 1200
Sarawak 1000 1000 1100 1200 1200 1260
Kedah 1000 1000 1068 1200 1290 1310
Terengganu 1120 1100 1150 1100 1200 1400
Perlis 1200 1200 1050 1000 1350 1495
Perak 1200 1150 1200 1200 1300 1500
Pahang 1200 1260 1225 1320 1500 1500
Malaysia 1300 1320 1450 1500 1500 1600 Reference
Melaka 1200 1260 1350 1500 1500 1600
High-income states
Pulau Pinang 1450 1380 1500 1500 1700 1700
Negeri Sembilan 1402 1434 1430 1580 1650 1800
W.P. Labuan 1315 1326 1471 1600 1500 1800
Johor 1300 1400 1500 1512 1800 1900
Selangor 1800 1600 1800 1890 2000 2175
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W.P. Kuala Lumpur 1800 1900 1950 2050 2200 2200
W.P. Putrajaya NA 2280 2595 2500 2740 2967
Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Figure 2.73 Graduate Unemployment Rate Based on Residential State
Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Average Remarks
Kelantan 34.2 35.2 35.0 36.0 33.8 34.8
Low-income states
Pahang 26.1 27.9 27.2 28.1 27.9 27.4
Perak 24.8 27.3 26.6 26.1 24.5 25.9
Kedah 26.8 28.3 28.2 27.8 25.2 27.3
Perlis 26.1 27.4 28.8 30.6 25.7 27.7
Sabah 31.2 37.6 34.9 35.5 31.0 34.0
Terengganu 32.1 33.1 33.0 35.5 32.4 33.2
Sarawak 24.6 28.3 28.3 29.2 26.6 27.4
Negeri Sembilan 24.1 25.5 23.2 23.0 22.7 23.7 Odd case
Pulau Pinang 19.9 22.2 21.9 20.2 20.6 21.0
High-income states
Melaka 22.8 24.7 22.9 24.0 24.4 23.8
Johor 22.5 23.4 23.2 23.1 22.1 22.9
WP Labuan 19.4 25.1 25.2 22.3 24.6 23.3
Selangor 18.2 18.9 18.7 18.5 18.5 18.6
WP Putrajaya 12.8 15.7 14.6 14.8 14.8 14.5
WP Kuala Lumpur 17.8 18.8 19.2 18.2 19.2 18.6
Oversea 22.7 36.4 17.2 19.0 13.2 21.7
National Average 24.0 25.6 25.0 24.9 23.9 24.7
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.74 The number of Unemployed Graduate based on living state
Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2015 Weightage
Kelantan 5,226 5,533 5,666 5,333 5,475 9.98%
Pahang 2,830 3,179 3,290 3,313 3,318 6.05%
Perak 4,212 4,943 5,061 4,400 4,956 9.03%
Kedah 3,943 4,294 4,382 4,138 4,344 7.92%
Perlis 535 578 670 575 530 0.97%
Sabah 2,902 4,058 3,726 3,760 4,095 7.46%
Terengganu 3,231 3,470 3,614 3,669 3,328 6.07%
Sarawak 2,429 3,114 3,414 3,385 3,522 6.42%
Negeri Sembilan 1,928 2,200 2,131 2,107 2,244 4.09%
Pulau Pinang 2,026 2,451 2,403 2,191 2,505 4.56%
Melaka 1,496 1,724 1,592 1,812 1,945 3.54%
Johor 4,222 5,173 5,397 5,292 5,547 10.11%
WP Labuan 61 97 109 98 117 0.21%
Selangor 6,896 8,072 8,774 8,952 9,526 17.36%
WP Putrajaya 140 179 177 200 188 0.34%
WP Kuala Lumpur 2,342 2,732 2,860 2,966 3,217 5.86%
Luar Negara 10 8 22 24 15 0.03%
National Aggregate 44,429 51,804 53,288 52,216 54,873 100%
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.77 Overview of Employment for All Graduates in Malaysia
Item 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Respondent 138,042 155,268 174,464 185,126 202,328 212,830 209,838 229,568
Employment Percentage 52.8% 45.1% 50.4% 52.6% 51.1% 47.6% 48.4% 53.0%
Employed Number 72,886 70,026 87,930 97,376 103,390 101,307 101,562 121,671
Unemployed Percentage 24.0% 26.7% 24.6% 24.0% 25.6% 25.0% 24.9% 23.9%
Calculated Unemployed Number 33,130 41,457 42,918 44,430 51,796 53,208 52,250 54,867
Given Unemployed Number 33,164 41,513 42,955 44,194 51,835 53,282 52,219 54,852
Job-looking Unemployed Graduates % 70.6% 71.8% 74.5% 69.5% 71.1% 74.8% 72.9% 73.4%
Job-looking Unemployed Graduates 23,414 29,806 32,001 30,715 36,855 39,855 38,068 40,261
Respondent Labour Force 96,300 99,832 119,931 128,091 140,244 141,162 139,629 161,932
Respondent Participation Rate 69.76% 64.30% 68.74% 69.19% 69.32% 66.33% 66.54% 70.54%
Real Graduate Unemployment Rate 24.31% 29.86% 26.68% 23.98% 26.28% 28.23% 27.26% 24.86%
20-24 Labour Force '000 1619.5 1614.8 1882.4 1882.6 1914.2 2017.7 2033.2 2032.6
20-24 Employed persons '000 1475.9 1451.1 1721.8 1725 1752.5 1847.9 1860 1843.2
20-24 Unemployed persons '000 143.6 163.7 160.6 157.6 161.7 169.8 173.2 189.4
20-24 Unemployment rate 8.87% 10.14% 8.53% 8.37% 8.45% 8.42% 8.52% 9.32%
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.78 Overview of Employment for Diploma Graduates in Malaysia
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Respondent 43,668 52,940 60,570 69,834 82,089 92,007 94,261 95,624
Employment Percentage 38.4% 31.6% 35.4% 40.2% 41.4% 38.4% 39.0% 42.3%
Employed Number 16,769 16,729 21,442 28,073 33,985 35,331 36,762 40,449
Unemployed Percentage 21.5% 22.6% 23.9% 24.5% 25.7% 22.6% 21.4% 22.5%
Calculated Unemployed Number 9,389 11,964 14,476 17,109 21,097 20,794 20,172 21,515
Given Unemployed Number 9,405 11,941 14,470 16,978 21,120 20,767 20,180 21,520
Unemployed look for jobs % 61.1% 61.4% 64.4% 63.2% 64.9% 71.2% 66.6% 66.6%
Unemployed look for jobs Number 5,736 7,346 9,323 10,813 13,692 14,805 13,434 14,329
Respondent Labour Force 22,505 24,075 30,764 38,886 47,677 50,136 50,196 54,778
Respondent Participation Rate 51.54% 45.48% 50.79% 55.68% 58.08% 54.49% 53.25% 57.29%
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Real Unemployment Rate 25.49% 30.51% 30.30% 27.81% 28.72% 29.53% 26.76% 26.16%
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.79 Overview of Employment for Degree Graduates in Malaysia
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Total Respondent 70,933 77,646 84,500 86,087 91,359 92,058 92,150 107,850
Employment Percentage 58.5% 49.2% 56.6% 60.5% 57.0% 52.7% 52.6% 58.0%
Employed Number 41,496 38,202 47,827 52,083 52,075 48,515 48,471 62,553
Unemployed Percentage 24.7% 29.2% 25.6% 24.7% 28.6% 31.4% 31.1% 27.9%
Calculated Unemployed Number 17,520 22,673 21,632 21,263 26,129 28,906 28,659 30,090
Given Unemployed Number 17,512 22,640 44,194 21,166 26,094 28,922 28,700 30,108
Unemployed look for jobs % 81.3% 81.8% 69.5% 78.2% 77.8% 78.6% 78.4% 79.0%
Unemployed look for jobs Number 14,244 18,546 15,034 16,628 20,328 22,720 22,468 23,771
Respondent Labour Force 55,740 56,748 62,861 68,711 72,403 71,235 70,939 86,324
Respondent Participation Rate 78.58% 73.09% 74.39% 79.82% 79.25% 77.38% 76.98% 80.04%
Real Unemployment Rate 25.55% 32.68% 23.92% 24.20% 28.08% 31.89% 31.67% 27.54%
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.81 Job-Searching Methods for Employed Graduates in Percentage
Sample Size 72,892 69,954 87,911 97,289 103,290 97,257 96,605 115,901
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Friends / Family 34.9 34.7 32.4 35.5 35.0 33.5 33.9 31.0
Internet 17.3 18.5 20.5 23.6 23.8 23.2 20.6 18.4
Already Worked before Began Course 10.4 10.9 12.0 10.2 9.6 9.7 8.1 13.4
Offer received from Industrial Training 5.9 6.4 6.1 6.1 6.1 7.0 7.6 7.1
Printed Media 12.3 10.9 10.1 7.5 6.2 7.3 5.4 6.5
Jobs Malaysia / Jabatan Tenaga Kerja 0.9 0.7 1.0 0.9 0.7 2.8 5.1 4.8
Manpower Agency 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.7 2.4 2.2 3.7 3.7
Offer from Sponsor 4.1 4.5 4.9 2.8 2.6 2.9 2.5 3.2
Lecturer NA NA NA NA 3.2 3.1 3.2 2.7
Electronic Media 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.8 2.9 2.2 2.4 2.4
Jobs Carnival 2.4 1.5 2.0 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.7
Counselling 1.2 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.6
Others 6.4 6.6 5.7 5.1 5.1 3.9 5.0 4.5
100.2 100.1 100.1 99.9 100.1 100.2 100 100
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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© 2018 KPRU 27
Figure 2.82 Job-Searching Methods for Employed First Degree Graduate
Sample Size 41,470 38,195 47,850 52,014 52,144 46,829 46,300 59,982
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Friends / Family 31.1 31.1 28.4 31.4 29.5 28.3 29.7 25.1
Internet 21.1 21.9 23.5 27.4 27.2 26.1 23.3 18.8
Printed Media 11.3 9.5 9.6 6.5 5.6 6.5 4.0 6.5
Already Worked before Began Course 11.1 11.5 13.4 10.3 9.6 9.9 6.2 16.6
Offer received from Industrial Training 6.0 7.4 6.2 6.6 7.5 8.9 9.9 8.1
Offer from Sponsor 3.6 3.9 3.9 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.8 4.0
Jobs Carnival 3.4 2.0 2.9 2.7 2.2 2.1 2.3 2.2
Manpower Agency 2.6 2.9 2.9 3.0 2.6 2.4 4.0 4.1
Electronic Media 2.1 2.2 2.1 3.2 3.4 2.3 2.7 2.7
Counselling 1.3 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.8
jobs Malaysia / Jabatan Tenaga Kerja 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.6 3.0 5.5 4.6
Lecturer NA NA NA NA 2.9 2.8 3.2 2.2
Others 5.7 6.0 5.4 4.5 5.2 4.0 5.5 4.4
100 100 100 100.1 100 100 100 100.1
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.83 Job-Searching Methods for Employed Diploma Graduate in Percentage
Sample Size 16,761 16,751 21,460 28,034 33,940 33,619 34,460 37,504
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Family / Friends 42.6 41.7 41.1 44.1 46.5 44.3 44.0 42.8
Internet 14.5 16.8 20.0 21.6 22.2 22.5 19.5 19.6
Printed Media 13.6 12.8 10.5 8.2 6.2 7.5 6.8 5.9
Already Worked before Began Course 4.8 5.0 5.5 4.8 5.0 4.3 3.6 3.6
Offer received from Industrial Training 6.3 5.5 6.5 6.0 5.1 5.8 7.0 7.6
Offer from Sponsor 2.1 3.1 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.6 0.9 1.4
Jobs Carnival 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1
Manpower Agency 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.8 3.1 2.9
Electronic Media 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.3 2.2 1.8 1.9 1.9
Counselling 1.3 1.3 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
jobs Malaysia / Jabatan Tenaga Kerja 1.3 0.9 1.4 1.0 0.8 3.1 5.5 6.1
Lecturer NA NA NA NA 1.7 1.8 1.7 2.0
Others 7.8 7.2 6.8 5.7 4.9 3.8 4.6 4.8
Total 99.9 100 100.1 100 100 99.8 100.1 100.1
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.84 Job-Searching Methods for Unemployed Graduate in Percentage
Sample Size 43,160 50,305 52,089 50,986 53,593
Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Internet 75.7 76 59.4 58.5 59.1
jobs Malaysia / Jabatan Tenaga Kerja 2.7 2.4 22.4 22.9 21.8
Friends / Family 4.9 5.3 4.9 5.9 6.6
Electronic Media 4.4 4.8 4 3.8 3.9
Manpower Agency 3.7 4.6 3.5 3.4 3.1
Jobs Carnival 1.7 2.2 2.4 2 2.3
Printed Media 4.9 3.2 2.2 2.1 2.1
Lecturer NA 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4
Counselling 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Others 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.6 0.5
98.9 100.2 100 100 100.1
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.85 Job-Searching Methods for Unemployed First-Degree Graduates in Percentage
Sample Size 25,686 28,485 28,251 29,657
Year 2012 2013 2014 2015
Internet 79.8 62.4 61.9 62.2
jobs Malaysia / Jabatan Tenaga Kerja 1.9 21.3 22.0 21.5
Electronic Media 5.9 4.8 4.5 4.4
Manpower Agency 4.5 3.3 3.2 2.9
Friends / Family 3.0 3.2 3.8 4.0
Printed Media 2.0 1.5 1.3 1.4
Counselling 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3
Jobs Carnival 2.1 2.4 2.1 2.6
Lecturer 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2
Others 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5
100 100 99.9 100
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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© 2018 KPRU 29
Figure 2.86 Job-Searching Methods for Unemployed Diploma Graduates in Percentage
Sample Size 20,144 20,159 19,485 20,810
Year 2012 2013 2014 2015
Internet 72.9 55.3 53.2 53.9
jobs Malaysia 2.9 24.8 25.1 23.2
Friends / Family 7.7 7.2 9.0 10.3
Manpower Agency 4.6 3.7 3.8 3.4
Printed Media 4.5 3.1 3.3 3.1
Electronic Media 3.3 2.4 2.6 2.9
Jobs Carnival 2.2 2.1 1.7 2.0
Lecturer 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4
Counselling 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4
Others 1.1 0.4 0.7 0.5
100.1 99.9 100.2 100.1
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.87 Interview Frequency for Unemployed Diploma Graduates in Percentage
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
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Figure 2.88 Interview Frequency for Unemployed Degree Graduates in Percentage
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.91 Graduate Unemployment Rate of Public Universities
State
Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Average Remarks UA UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
UN Rate
Kelantan UMK NA NA NA 39.4 61.2 47.9 32.7 41.3 44.5
Low-income states
Perlis UniMAP 44.3 40.1 48.9 35.2 44.3 46.1 35.4 33.0 40.9
Kedah UUM 27.4 32.4 27.5 20.0 21.2 18.6 20.6 18.9 23.3
Terengganu UniSZA NA NA 42.8 41.1 28.7 26.8 32.8 30.3 33.8
Terengganu UDM 25.5 NA NA NA NA NA NA 25.5
Terengganu UMT 62.3 48.4 47.1 38.6 38.2 45.2 39.2 52.5 46.4
Sabah UMS 49.1 41.9 38.2 32.7 49.8 43.1 45.3 40.7 42.6
Perak UPSI 2.9 3.9 3.5 7.3 16.5 14.2 26.4 10.1 10.6
Pahang UMP 15.3 31.2 29.0 21.0 27.7 36.4 30.6 32.8 28.0
Sarawak UNIMAS 40.5 39.8 39.4 35.2 46.0 47.0 49.6 49.2 43.3
Negeri Sembilan USIM 30.3 56.4 46.7 25.5 29.0 30.0 28.9 30.9 34.7 Odd Case
Melaka UTeM 30.3 25.9 30.1 29.1 23.4 27.4 31.2 33.8 28.9
High-income states
Johor UTM 18.6 21.0 18.5 21.5 22.4 18.3 18.4 22.3 20.1
Johor UTHM 25.0 30.7 25.0 21.2 27.9 24.0 25.1 24.7 25.5
Pulau Pinang USM 22.4 22.9 23.2 19.7 25.2 24.8 19.1 20.3 22.2
Selangor UKM 27.8 27.1 24.8 23.9 26.1 27.1 22.5 23.9 25.4
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© 2018 KPRU 31
Selangor UPM 14.2 20.9 17.4 15.8 18.0 21.1 21.2 21.7 18.8
Selangor UIAM 17.4 20.8 22.2 21.2 26.4 22.1 27.6 22.0 22.5
Selangor UiTM 16.7 18.9 17.0 18.9 21.9 22.6 21.4 21.9 19.9
Kuala Lumpur UM 24.4 24.3 24.9 18.2 21.3 18.3 18.4 19.5 21.2
Kuala Lumpur PPUM NA NA NA NA NA 2.1 NA NA NA
Kuala Lumpur UPNM NA NA NA 25.1 21.9 41.4 45.5 10.4 28.9
Overall 21.7 23.4 21.4 21.0 24.7 24.5 24.6 23.9 23.2
Source: Graduate Tracer Study 2007-2015, Ministry of Education Malaysia
Figure 2.92 The Characteristic of Public Universities
State University
QS Asian university ranking Median Family Income
Median personal income Remarks 2013 2014 2015
Kelantan UMK less-developed less-developed
Perlis UniMAP 201-250 201-250 201-250 less-developed less-developed
Kedah UUM 201-250 201-250 191-200 less-developed less-developed
Terengganu UniSZA less-developed less-developed
Terengganu UDM less-developed less-developed
Terengganu UMT 251-300 251-300 251-300 less-developed less-developed
Sabah UMS 181-190 201-250 less-developed less-developed
Perak UPSI less-developed less-developed Education
Pahang UMP 251-300 251-300 251-300 less-developed less-developed
Sarawak UNIMAS 201-250 201-250 less-developed less-developed
Negeri Sembilan USIM less-developed developed Islamic
Melaka UTeM developed developed
Johor UTM 68 66 61 developed developed
Johor UTHM 251-300 251-300 251-300 developed developed
Pulau Pinang USM 61 57 49 developed developed
Selangor UKM 57 56 56 developed developed
Selangor UPM 72 76 66 developed developed
Selangor UIAM 151-160 145 151-160 developed developed Islamic
Selangor UiTM 201-250 201-250 201-250 developed developed
Kuala Lumpur UM 33 32 29 developed developed
Kuala Lumpur PPUM developed developed Medical
Kuala Lumpur UPNM developed developed National defence
Source: QS Asian University Ranking 2013-2015, Department of Statistics, Malaysia
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Figure 3.01 Malaysia Unemployment Rate and GDP Growth 1982-2015
Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Figure 3.02 The Number of Unemployed Persons in Malaysia 1982-2015
Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia