Average monthly wages up 4.4% in 2019

The average monthly salary of employees increased by 4.4% from RM3,087 in 2018 to RM3,224 in 2019, according to the 2019 Salaries and Wages Survey Report published by the statistics department today.

Chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a statement that the increase was in line with Malaysia’s economic performance, which also recorded growth of 4.4% at current prices in 2019.

The report provides the main statistics for salaries and wages, that is the monthly median and mean based on demography and socio-economy.

Uzir said salary and wage recipients in Malaysia totalled 9.2 million in 2019, up by 5% from 8.8 million people in 2018.

Median monthly salary and wages recorded an increase from RM2,308 in 2018 to RM2,441 in 2019, an increase of 5.8%.

“In 2019, the median salary and wages received by male employees was RM2,477 and female employees, RM2,370 which saw an increase of 5.8% and 6.8% respectively compared to 2018.

“The mean monthly salary and wages for male employees increased by 4.1% to RM3,304 and for female employees by 5% to RM3,108 respectively compared to the previous year.

“Meanwhile, the median and mean monthly salaries and wages for employees with tertiary education remained high, with 6.9% and 2% growth respectively,” said Uzir.

The report also showed that median and mean monthly salaries and income for employees in urban areas went up by 6.2% to RM2,565 compared to those in the rural areas, which rose to RM1,560 at a rate of 5.3%.

Meanwhile, mean monthly salary and wages showed a reversing trend in which the percentage change in rural areas was higher at 6% compared to that of employees in urban areas at 4% in 2019.

Uzir said it was expected that the Covid-19 pandemic would affect this year’s salaries and wages, especially for those in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, and transportation and storage sectors.

“The accommodation industry, food and beverage services, and the arts, entertainment and recreational sectors are also expected to be affected by the enforcement of the movement control order,” he said.