Sarawak’s youth unemployment rate remained low at around three per cent in 2025, with the state government stepping up job placement, skills training and entrepreneurship initiatives to improve youth employability.
Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat said statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) recorded Sarawak’s unemployment rate at 3.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, while data from the Sarawak Labour Department (JTK) showed a comparable rate of 3 per cent.
He said the figures reflected improving employment prospects among youths aged between 15 and 40 years, but stressed that continuous intervention was still needed to meet evolving industry demands.
“As youth in Sarawak are defined within the 15 to 40 age group, these figures suggest a steady improvement in youth employability,” he said when responding to Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada during Q&A session.
Ripin said the ministry was strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pathways to equip youths with industry-relevant skills.
He said the ministry was also working with state agencies and the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) through platforms such as the e-Recruitment system and MYFutureJobs to improve job matching and employment opportunities.
The effectiveness of the initiatives was reflected during the Sarawak Youth Week Celebration 2025 in Bintulu, where 56 out of 196 participants secured jobs on the spot, while another 48 advanced to second-stage interviews.
Ripin added that youth entrepreneurship remained a major focus in reducing unemployment and expanding income opportunities.
Among the programmes introduced are Sarawak Youth StartUp (SYStartup), Youth Entrepreneur Setup (YES), BeliaGoBiz and the Sarawak Youth Business and Industry Competition (SaYBIC), which provide training, mentorship and marketing support for young entrepreneurs.
He said the ministry would continue adopting a coordinated approach involving skills development, industry collaboration, job placement and entrepreneurship to prepare Sarawakian youths for the changing labour market.
