Malaysia’s Services Sector Revenue Rises 11 Pct To RM732.5 Bln In 3Q 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s services sector revenue rose by 11 per cent year-on-year to RM732.5 billion in the third quarter of 2026 (3Q 2026), while the volume index increased by 5.9 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
In a statement today, DOSM said the sector’s performance was partly supported by major events, including the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair, the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), Citrawarna 2026 and concerts, as well as public and school holidays.
The wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage and accommodation segment recorded the highest revenue growth among the services subsectors, rising by 11.6 per cent year-on-year to RM554.7 billion, reflecting stronger household spending and tourism-related activity.
Meanwhile, revenue from the information and communication, and transportation and storage segment increased by 9.7 per cent to RM102.2 billion.
DOSM said revenue in the professional services, real estate, and administrative and support services segment grew by 7.8 per cent year-on-year, while the private health, private education, arts, entertainment and recreation, and personal and other services segment expanded by 8.9 per cent.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, services sector revenue grew by 2.5 per cent, supported by the wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage and accommodation segment, as well as professional services, real estate, and administrative and support services.
In volume terms, the services volume index rose by 5.9 per cent year-on-year to 174.3 points in 3Q 2026, reflecting an expansion in services activity.
E-commerce income increased by 2.6 per cent year-on-year to RM335.8 billion during the quarter. However, it declined by 0.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
Employment in the services sector grew 2.2 per cent year-on-year to 4.7 million persons, driven mainly by transportation and storage and personal and other services activities, which rose 4.3 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the number of persons engaged in the sector increased by 0.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, total salaries and wages rose by 4.6 per cent year-on-year to RM36.1 billion, with the food and beverage and real estate segments recording increases of 9.9 per cent and 9.7 per cent, respectively.
Quarter-on-quarter, total salaries and wages increased by 1.4 per cent.
-- BERNAMA