Number of Women-Owned Businesses on the Rise, DOSM Showed
The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) announced that there were a total of 219,015 active women-owned establishments were recorded in 2022, representing 20.1% of the total registered establishments in Malaysia, representing an annual growth rate of 2.3% compared to the previous census (2015: 187,365 establishments).
DOSM chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said that a total of 205,012 establishments (93.6%) were concentrated in the services sector, followed by manufacturing (8,469, 3.9%) and construction (3,869, 1.8%).
“Findings by subsector showed that more than 70% of the women-owned establishments were involved in the wholesale and retail trade subsector (share 45%) and the food and beverage subsector (31.1%),” he said.
According to DOSM, Selangor remained as the top state with the highest number of women-owned establishments in 2022, contributing 15.9% of the total 219,015 establishments, followed by Sabah with 22,740 establishments (10.4%), Kelantan (21,079, 9.6%), Kuala Lumpur (20,237, 9.2%) and Johor (19,495, 8.9%).
It pointed out that the gross output value generated by women-owned establishments stood at RM136.9 billion in 2022, contributing 3.6% to the overall economic sector in Malaysia, with the services sector generating the highest at RM83 billion (60.7%) as well as wholesale and retail trade subsector was the catalyst, contributing 37.7% (RM31.3 billion).
In terms of growth, the value of gross output rose 7% annually in 2022 compared to 2015.
For the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector, there were 185,582 women-owned establishments, representing 17% of the total SMEs in Malaysia in 2022.
“Of this number, 171,800 establishments (92.6%) were involved in the services sector, followed by 8,359 establishments (4.5%) in the manufacturing sector. The women-owned SMEs generated a gross output of RM89.3 billion and a value added of RM44.3 billion, which increased by 3.7% and 4.1% each year,” DOSM stated.
Additionally, it added that women-owned establishments have collectively employed 833,311 persons, with an annual growth rate of 0.9%.
In terms of salaries and wages, as well as fixed asset values, the businesses recorded a total of RM16.2 billion and RM39.7 billion with annual growth rates of 4.5% and 3.4% respectively.
“These statistics serve not only as a testament to the strength and capabilities of women entrepreneurs, but also as a vital input for policy makers, researchers and industry players in formulating informed strategies to support and accelerate women’s economic participation,” Mohd Uzir said, adding that the increased presence of women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem reflects Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to gender inclusivity and empowerment.
