Malaysia is poised for continued robust economic growth in 2025, driven primarily by advancements in its digital economy, manufacturing, and construction sectors.
The latest insights from Randstad Malaysia’s 2025 Job Market Outlook and Salary Trends Report underscore the increasing demand for skilled professionals, as companies expand operations and investments within the country.
Fahad Naeem, country director at Randstad Malaysia said, “As Malaysia’s businesses continue to grow, the demand for talent with specialised skills is on the rise. We’re seeing a significant need for skilled professionals proficient in technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital infrastructure. Additionally, digital integration is happening in corporate sectors, including legal, human resources, shared services, marketing and accounting. With these developments, employers are raising their hiring expectations, particularly in digital literacy and commercial acumen.”
Job industry and talent growth in Malaysia
A recent survey by Randstad Malaysia reveals that 59% of employers plan to expand their teams in 2025, while 31% will focus on maintaining their current headcount. These findings indicate a positive outlook for the business and labour markets, as companies aim to grow their teams to take advantage of existing opportunities, particularly in the digital sector.
The survey shows that 41% of employers expect the most hiring activity in technology, and 26% of respondents plan to invest in hiring professionals for digital transformation and artificial intelligence roles. This trend underscores the ongoing evolution of business operations driven by automation and technological advancements, as more companies develop AI products and solutions.
In addition to digital growth driving tech-related hiring, 36% of employers anticipate hiring sales and business development professionals to drive revenue growth. We are also seeing traditional corporate functions like marketing and human resources taking on more commercial responsibilities, either to optimise resources or establish clearer revenue generation targets.
Despite this optimistic outlook, the survey highlights a significant challenge for employers. 56% of employers cite a lack of skilled talent as their top hiring challenge. Many organisations are also grappling with rising salary expectations amid tighter budgets.
In response, 52% of companies in Malaysia plan to increase their hiring budgets in 2025, recognising that candidates with in-demand skills now have greater leverage during negotiations.
Randstad Malaysia’s 2025 job market outlook & salary guide target specific industries and specialisations
Randstad Malaysia’s 2025 Job Market Outlook and Salary Guide report provides a comprehensive analysis of industry-specific hiring trends, including in-demand skills and talent where businesses will face the strongest competition when navigating today’s labour market.
This year’s report also features salary benchmarks for more than 300 professional roles in Malaysia, providing valuable insights that help employers align their offerings with one of the key factors job seekers prioritise — competitive salary and benefits.
Randstad Malaysia professional talent solutions
Naeem added, “As we look ahead to 2025, employers will likely face stiffer competition when hiring top talent in Malaysia. Many organisations are in growth mode and investing in recruitment and workforce development to boost productivity and drive higher revenue growth. With our access to a large pool of pre-screened professional talent and deep understanding of workforce trends, we’re committed to helping employers find the right talent — one that values lifelong learning, agility, and adaptability.”
Randstad Malaysia specialises in both permanent and contract talent recruitment, workforce solutions and employer branding, effectively connecting uniquely skilled talent with employers when they need it most.
