Bangladeshis Make Up 37% of Malaysia’s Foreign Workforce

Bangladeshis now comprise 37% of Malaysia’s total foreign labor force, with over 800,000 holding valid work permits as of June 2025, according to the country’s Home Ministry.

The data was disclosed in response to a parliamentary question on Monday by Malaysian MP Hassan Karim. Local newspaper The Star reported the figures on Tuesday, citing the Immigration Department.

As of June this year, 803,332 Bangladeshi nationals are working in Malaysia with temporary employment permits — the highest among all foreign labor groups in the country. Most of them are employed in low-skilled sectors, making Bangladesh the top source of low-wage labor for Malaysia.

The Home Ministry also noted that Malaysia reopened its labor market to foreign workers in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic. That year, 49,353 Bangladeshis entered the country for work. In 2023, under a relaxed recruitment policy, another 397,548 Bangladeshis arrived.

However, the ministry also reported that 20,331 Bangladeshi workers were deported in 2022, and 23,065 in 2023, mainly due to temporary work permits expiring or violations by employers. Additionally, 790 Bangladeshi nationals were detained for overstaying their permits and remaining in the country illegally.