Malaysia’s economy grows 5.3 per cent in 3Q 2026
Growth for the first three quarters reached 5.5 per cent, compared with 4.8 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025.
Malaysia recorded economic growth of 5.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2026 (3Q 2026), easing from 6.0 per cent in the previous quarter, according to advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
DOSM said services continued to lead growth, expanding 5.4 per cent compared with 5.9 per cent in 2Q 2026. Contributors included finance and insurance, wholesale and retail trade, as well as information and communication.
Manufacturing growth accelerated to 7.5 per cent from 7.3 per cent. The department attributed this to export-oriented industries, highlighting electrical, electronic and optical products, alongside petroleum, chemicals, rubber and plastics products.
Construction expanded 6.0 per cent, compared with 6.5 per cent in the previous quarter. Specialised construction activities and non-residential buildings supported the sector, with data centre projects contributing to the latter, DOSM said.
Agriculture returned to growth of 1.3 per cent after recording -3.7 per cent in 2Q 2026, supported by livestock and oil palm. Mining and quarrying was the only sector to contract, shrinking 4.9 per cent after growth of 9.2 per cent. DOSM linked the contraction to lower activity in crude oil and condensate.
DOSM will publish preliminary GDP figures on Nov 18, 2026, providing a more detailed account of the quarter’s economic performance.
