{"id":50120,"date":"2026-02-24T17:02:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/?p=50120"},"modified":"2026-02-24T17:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:32:46","slug":"foundit-insights-tracker-malaysia-jan-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/foundit-insights-tracker-malaysia-jan-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysia&#8217;s Hiring\u00a0Landscape\u00a0in January 2026: foundit Insights Tracker\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Overview of Hiring Activity<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Malaysia&#8217;s online hiring activity opened 2026 on a strong note, with the&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker rising&nbsp;8% year-on-year&nbsp;\u2014 the index climbing from 76 in January 2025 to 82 in January 2026. Month-on-month, hiring was up&nbsp;6%,&nbsp;signalling&nbsp;a decisive uptick in recruitment momentum.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The broader trend reinforces this recovery: <strong>hiring is up\u00a011% over the last 3 months\u00a0and\u00a09% over the last 6 months<\/strong>, underpinned by stronger GDP growth in late 2025, persistently low unemployment, and sustained activity across services, manufacturing, and construction. Employers are adding capacity selectively \u2014 skills-based and targeted \u2014 rather than expanding broadly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>8 out of 10 industries&nbsp;tracked by the Index registered year-on-year growth in January 2026, with Logistics, Engineering, and Advertising leading the charge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file aligncenter\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fit_MY_-January26-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of &lt;strong&gt;Malaysia Hiring Trends in January 2026&lt;\/strong&gt;   .\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-99c4daa3-ecd7-4963-822f-f86cb746a50a\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fit_MY_-January26-1.pdf\"><strong>Malaysia Hiring Trends in January 2026<\/strong>   <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fit_MY_-January26-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-99c4daa3-ecd7-4963-822f-f86cb746a50a\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiring Trends by Industry (YoY change)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The market is broadly positive at the industry level, with only Retail and Hospitality in negative territory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In demand<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Logistics, Courier\/Freight\/Transportation &amp; Shipping\/Marine (+39%)&nbsp;<\/strong>The standout&nbsp;performer. Sustained e-commerce volumes, active trade flows, and supply chain expansion are driving robust hiring across fulfilment, transport, and&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;operations.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Engineering, Construction &amp; Real Estate (+32%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Infrastructure execution, urban development, and commercial project pipelines continue to fuel strong demand across technical, site, and project management roles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Advertising, Market Research, PR, Media &amp; Entertainment (+28%)&nbsp;<\/strong>Rising corporate spend on digital marketing, performance media, and content is sustaining strong hiring across creative, media, and campaign functions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Others (+26%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Broad growth across niche and mixed-sector categories points to improving confidence and selective expansion across smaller verticals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>IT, Telecom\/ISP &amp; BPO\/ITES (+22%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Selective but meaningful growth, driven by demand for digital, cloud, cybersecurity, and efficiency-led roles as&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;push ahead with technology transformation.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/search\/oil-gas-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oil &amp; Gas&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong> (+7%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Modest growth, though hiring&nbsp;remains&nbsp;measured as capital discipline and restrained upstream investment continue to cap net additions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Production\/Manufacturing, Automotive &amp; Ancillary (+6%<\/strong>)&nbsp;Steady but limited expansion as firms&nbsp;prioritise&nbsp;automation and productivity over significant headcount growth.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>BFSI (0%)&nbsp;<\/strong>Flat. Banks and financial institutions are focused on automation, productivity, and selective backfilling rather than net hiring growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Facing challenges<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hospitality &amp; Travel (\u22123%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Hiring has pulled back as post-pandemic demand&nbsp;normalises&nbsp;and operators pivot to margin control and leaner staffing models.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Retail (\u22125%)&nbsp;<\/strong>The only sector in meaningful decline, reflecting cautious consumer spending and ongoing cost&nbsp;optimisation&nbsp;at store level.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hiring Trends by Functional Area (YoY change)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Functional hiring is broadly positive, with&nbsp;7 out of 10 areas&nbsp;recording year-on-year growth. Supply chain, HR, and engineering lead; hospitality and customer service roles&nbsp;remain&nbsp;under significant pressure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In demand<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Purchase\/Logistics\/Supply Chain (+28%)<\/strong>&nbsp;The top-performing function. Companies are doubling down on supply chain resilience, inventory control, and&nbsp;logistics&nbsp;optimisation&nbsp;amid steady trade and e-commerce activity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Others (+27%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Broad growth across miscellaneous functions reflects improving momentum across a range of support and operational roles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>HR &amp; Admin (+16%)&nbsp;<\/strong>Renewed demand points to workforce&nbsp;stabilisation, compliance needs, and replacement hiring as&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;rebuild&nbsp;people&nbsp;management capacity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/search\/production-engineering-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engineering\/Production<\/a>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong> (+9%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Positive momentum aligns with broader strength in construction and logistics-linked industries,&nbsp;with&nbsp;hiring supporting ongoing projects and operational continuity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Marketing &amp; Communications (+4%)&nbsp;<\/strong>Selective but steady growth as employers continue to invest in performance-led marketing, brand, and digital roles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>IT (+1%)&nbsp;<\/strong>Marginal growth despite global tech caution, with ongoing digital transformation needs providing a floor for tech hiring.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Facing challenges<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/home\/search\/finance-jobs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Finance<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/strong> &amp; Accounts (\u22122%)&nbsp;<\/strong>A slight but persistent decline as automation of routine financial processes and shared services models continue to reduce incremental headcount requirements.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sales &amp; Business Development (\u22124%)<\/strong>&nbsp;Firms&nbsp;remain&nbsp;cautious on frontline commercial expansion,&nbsp;prioritising&nbsp;productivity&nbsp;and existing account&nbsp;monetisation&nbsp;over headcount additions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Customer Service (\u221213%)&nbsp;<\/strong>A sharp decline driven by automation, self-service adoption, and AI-led support models&nbsp;hollowing out&nbsp;demand for traditional customer service roles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hospitality&nbsp;Roles&nbsp;(\u221230%)&nbsp;<\/strong>The steepest functional decline by far. Staffing levels are&nbsp;correcting&nbsp;after post-pandemic&nbsp;normalisation, with operators focused firmly on&nbsp;automation&nbsp;over workforce expansion.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker (fit) Malaysia (formerly the Monster Employment Index) is a monthly benchmark of online hiring activity across the nation. By&nbsp;analysing&nbsp;millions of job postings, fit provides&nbsp;timely, data-led intelligence on recruitment trends across industries, occupations, and skill categories, helping&nbsp;organisations&nbsp;and talent navigate an evolving&nbsp;labour&nbsp;market.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview of Hiring Activity&nbsp; Malaysia&#8217;s online hiring activity opened 2026 on a strong note, with the&nbsp;foundit&nbsp;Insights Tracker rising&nbsp;8% year-on-year&nbsp;\u2014 the index climbing from 76 in January 2025 to 82 in January 2026. Month-on-month, hiring was up&nbsp;6%,&nbsp;signalling&nbsp;a decisive uptick in recruitment momentum.&nbsp; The broader trend reinforces this recovery: hiring is up\u00a011% over the last 3 months\u00a0and\u00a09% [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-50120","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-insights-tracker"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50120"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50135,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50120\/revisions\/50135"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foundit.my\/career-advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}