Malaysia’s inflation rate rose slightly to 1.2% in July, edging up 0.1% from the previous month.
The statistics department said this was driven by the inflation rate for the insurance and financial services group, which rose to 5.5% from 1.5% in June.
In a statement today, it also said the food and beverages group, which contributes 29.8% of the total consumer price index, increased slower at 1.9% compared to 2.1% in the preceding month.
Chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said 12 states recorded increases below the 1.2% rate in July, with Kelantan recording 0% inflation, while all other states saw an increase in F&B inflation rates.
He also noted that 58.3%, or 334 of 573 products, recorded price increases in July.
In a separate statement, Uzir said the labour market remained strong in the second quarter of 2025, as the number of employed people rose to 16.85 million, with the rate of filled jobs at 97.9%.
“The total number of jobs (available) increased to 9.10 million jobs, the highest level recorded since the first quarter of 2022, with an increase of 1.6% year-on-year compared with 8.96 million jobs in the same quarter of 2024.
“Out of the total, 97.9% or 8.90 million jobs were filled, while the vacancy rate remained at 2.1%, equivalent to 194.9 thousand vacancies,” he said.
He said national economic performance remained steady at 4.4% year-on-year, supported by a resilient labour market, sustained job creation and high labour force participation.
