Foreign Workers & Maids in Malaysia: 2026 Statistics
How many foreign workers and foreign maids work in Malaysia, where they come from, which sectors employ them, and what the levy, minimum wage and EPF rules mean for employers. Every figure links to its official or first-published source.
Key Statistics: Foreign Workers and Maids in Malaysia
The headline figures, each with the date the official count refers to.
active, legally employed foreign workers in Malaysia (15 October 2025)
fewer than a year earlier, down from 2,452,010
foreign domestic helpers (maids), about 1 in 20 foreign workers
of foreign workers come from Bangladesh, the largest source country
work in just two sectors: manufacturing and construction
more foreign maids than at the end of 2021 (88,173)
national minimum wage, which does not apply to domestic servants
government target for foreign workers’ share of the workforce by 2030
How Many Foreign Workers Are in Malaysia?
Malaysia had 2,132,578 active, legally employed foreign workers as at 15 October 2025, down 319,432 (13%) from 2,452,010 a year earlier, according to the Human Resources Ministry’s reply in the Dewan Rakyat (New Straits Times).
An earlier count put the figure at 2,144,789 as at 30 June 2025 (The Sun). These figures cover documented workers only; undocumented workers are not included.
Construction is the second-largest employer of foreign workers in Malaysia, after manufacturing.
Where Do Malaysia’s Foreign Workers Come From?
Bangladesh is the largest source country with 803,322 workers (37%), followed by Indonesia with 543,514 (25%) and Nepal with 332,712 (16%). Together the top three supply 78% of Malaysia’s foreign workforce. Figures as at 30 June 2025.
| Country | Share | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 37% | 803,322 |
| Indonesia | 25% | 543,514 |
| Nepal | 16% | 332,712 |
| Myanmar | 8% | 173,630 |
| India | 5% | 106,929 |
| Pakistan | 4% | 76,011 |
| All other countries | 5% | 108,671 |
| Total | 100% | 2,144,789 |
Source: Human Resources Ministry written reply in the Dewan Rakyat, as at 30 June 2025, via The Sun. Shares calculated by Service Pro. “All other countries” includes the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, China, Laos, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Which Sectors Employ the Most Foreign Workers in Malaysia?
Manufacturing employs the most foreign workers (622,388, or 29%), followed by construction (589,684, 28%) and services (390,607, 18%). Foreign domestic helpers make up 107,375, or 5% of the total. Figures as at 15 October 2025.
| Sector | Share | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29% | 622,388 |
| Construction | 28% | 589,684 |
| Services | 18% | 390,607 |
| Plantation | 12% | 263,131 |
| Agriculture | 7% | 158,628 |
| Foreign domestic helpers | 5% | 107,375 |
| Mining & quarrying | 0.04% | 765 |
| Total | 100% | 2,132,578 |
Source: Human Resources Ministry, as at 15 October 2025, via New Straits Times. Shares calculated by Service Pro.
How Many Foreign Maids Are There in Malaysia?
Malaysia had 107,375 foreign domestic helpers as at 15 October 2025 (NST). That is 19,202 more, or 22% higher, than the 88,173 foreign maids holding temporary employment passes at the end of 2021 (Immigration Department via FMT).
Domestic helpers are the only foreign workers allowed in the informal sector. All other foreign workers are limited to six formal sectors (RTM).
Domestic helpers are the only foreign workers allowed in the informal sector.
What Is the Minimum Salary for a Foreign Maid in Malaysia?
There is no national minimum wage for maids. The Minimum Wages Order 2024 does not apply to domestic servants (Skrine). Salary floors come from agreements with source countries instead:
| Maid’s nationality | Basis | Minimum monthly salary |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | MOU signed 1 April 2022 | RM1,500 |
| Philippines | DMW Advisory 25-2025 (was US$400 since 2006) | US$500 |
| Other countries | Not covered by the minimum wage | No set floor |
Sources: Indonesia, Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan, who said Indonesia “was the only exception” (FMT); MOU date, The Sun; Philippines, Department of Migrant Workers (SunStar). The Philippines raise is 25%.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Foreign Maid in Malaysia?
Government fees for a first-time hire start at RM1,136, according to the Immigration Department, which covers the levy, visa, pass and processing fees but not agency charges (FMT). Agency recruitment of an Indonesian helper is capped at RM15,000, a figure reviewed every three months (The Malaysian Insight).
Every year after that, an employer renews the permit. For an Indonesian domestic worker the renewal is RM610 (The Malaysian Insight):
| Annual renewal item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Levy | RM410 |
| Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS) | RM60 |
| Processing fee | RM125 |
| Visa | RM15 |
| Total | RM610 |
| Medical check (not included; years 1, 2, 3, then every two years) | up to RM200 |
For a household-budget view (part-time vs full-time help, salary, food and agency fees together) see our part-time vs full-time maid cost breakdown.
What Is the Multi-Tier Levy for Foreign Workers?
The multi-tier levy mechanism charges employers more the more they rely on foreign workers. It was planned for 2025 and postponed to 2026 under the 13th Malaysia Plan (FMT). Final rates had not been published when this page was last updated. We will add them once announced.
What Is the Minimum Wage in Malaysia in 2026?
The minimum wage is RM1,700 a month (RM8.72 an hour), in force for employers with five or more workers since 1 February 2025 and for all employers since 1 August 2025. It applies to foreign workers too, but not to domestic servants (Skrine).
A rise to RM2,000, an increase of RM300 or 17.6%, is under consideration. The Economy Minister has said the decision rests with Budget 2027 (The Star).
Do Employers Pay EPF for Foreign Workers and Maids?
Yes for foreign workers, no for maids. EPF became mandatory for foreign workers from October 2025 wages, at 2% from the employer and 2% from the employee. Domestic helpers are exempt (The Vibes).
What Is Malaysia’s Target for Foreign Workers?
The government’s target is to cut foreign workers to 10% of the workforce by 2030 and 5% by 2035, down from a cap of 15% under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RTM).
What Does Budget 2027 Change for Foreign Workers and Maids?
Budget 2027 will be tabled on 9 October 2026 (The Star). The open questions for employers are the RM2,000 minimum wage and the multi-tier levy rates. This section will be updated with the announced measures.
No Live-In Maid? How Klang Valley Homes Get Help Instead
A live-in helper means recruitment fees, an annual permit renewal and a monthly salary. Many households cover the same chores without one: a vetted part-time maid by the hour for regular cleaning, and a specialist for the jobs a maid can’t do well, such as deep-cleaning fabric sofas and mattresses.
A part-time maid covers routine cleaning by the hour, with no permit or levy for the household.
Sources and How to Cite This Page
Figures come from Malaysian government statements (the Human Resources Ministry, the Immigration Department and EPF), from the gazetted Minimum Wages Order, and from the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers. We link the first outlet that published each official figure. Percentages are calculated by Service Pro from those figures and rounded. Counts cover documented workers only.
Cite this page: Service Pro, “Foreign Workers & Maids in Malaysia: 2026 Statistics”, https://servicepro.my/hygiene-insights/foreign-workers-maids-malaysia-statistics/. Journalists and bloggers are welcome to use these figures and tables with a link to this page.
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