KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): The Economic Census 2023 report revealed that the manufacturing sector’s gross output value increased 7.5% annually to RM1.89 trillion in 2022, compared to 2015, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said this upturn was largely supported by the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products sub-sector, which increased to RM579.6 billion in 2022, from RM299.1 billion in 2015.

“It was followed by the electrical, electronic and optical products sub-sector, with a 29.6% share and a value of RM560.7 billion, compared to RM321.18 billion in 2015.

“These two sub-sectors benefitted from increasing global demand for medical supplies and electronic devices, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020. Hence, it contributed to the sector’s overall growth trajectory,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Mohd Uzir said the report found that 54,505 manufacturing establishments had operated in 2022, 1.5% more than the 49,101 recorded in 2015.

He said the census identified that these establishments were operating in 254 industries, according to the Malaysian Standard Industrial Classification.

In line with the increase in gross output, Mohd Uzir said the intermediate input for the manufacturing sector rose by 7.6% annually to RM1.48 trillion, compared to RM884.8 billion in 2015, primarily influenced by higher local producer prices, as well as the global rise in crude oil and commodity prices during the period.

The chief statistician said the value added for the manufacturing sector marked an annual growth of 7.1% to reach RM414.9 billion in 2022, from RM257.1 billion in 2015.

“This was mainly contributed by the petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products sub-sector (share: 33.2%), which rose by 8.5%. 

“The second rank was the electrical, electronic and optical products sub-sector, which contributed 29.0% share, with an annual growth rate of 8.3%, followed by the food products sub-sector (share: 11.1%), which grew by 7.5%,” he said.

On salary and wages paid, Mohd Uzir said it expanded by 5.8% annually to RM97.2 billion in 2022, with the average salary and wages amounting to RM3,513 per month in 2022.

He said the electrical, electronic and optical products sub-sector recorded the highest average salary and wages of RM4,361 per month, while the lowest average salary and wages was in the textiles, wearing apparel and leather products sub-sector, at RM2,249 per month. 

“Skilled workers received the highest average salaries and wages at RM8,068 per month, followed by semi-skilled workers (RM2,578 per month) and low-skilled workers (RM2,030 per month),” he said.

Mohd Uzir also highlighted the performance of the agriculture-based industry in conjunction with the Agriculture Census 2024, which saw 14,323 establishments involved in agro-based products manufacturing in 2022. 

He said a total of 8,296 establishments were involved in food-based products, representing 57.9%, while the remaining 6,027 establishments produced non-food-based products. 

“Additionally, the gross output of non-food-based products amounted to RM267.2 billion, which made up 73.4% of the total output of the agriculture-based industry.

“Food-based products reached RM96.7 billion, with a contribution of 26.6%,” he said.

On the economic performance by states, Mohd Uzir said nearly 70% of gross output in the manufacturing sector was contributed by Selangor (27.3%), Johor (16.7%), Pulau Pinang (16.0%) and Sarawak (9.3%). 

He added that in terms of the annual growth rate, four states registered higher increments than the national level: Selangor (7.7%), Johor (9.2%), Pulau Pinang (10.0%), and Sarawak (8.1%).

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