Official advance figures released on Friday show Malaysia’s gross domestic product grew 5.3% in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. The pace represents a slowdown from the previous quarter when the economy expanded at a 6.3% annualized rate.
The statistics authority attributed the January-March increase to continued expansion in three principal sectors: manufacturing, services and construction. While these sectors sustained the overall rise in economic activity, the report noted that momentum eased relative to the final quarter of 2025.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, GDP had accelerated by 6.3% - a pace described in the official release as the fastest in three years - with that advance driven by stronger domestic demand, as well as higher exports and investments.
By contrast, the mining and quarrying sector registered a decline of 1.1% during the first quarter. The statistics department linked that contraction to lower production levels, in particular for crude oil and natural gas.
For the full year 2025, Malaysia’s economy expanded 5.2%, surpassing expectations. The annual figure reflected record values of trade and a higher level of approved investments, according to the same official summary.
The advance release provides an early read on economic performance for the opening quarter and highlights a mixed profile: persistent strength in manufacturing, services and construction alongside weakness in mining output. The numbers underscore the role of domestic demand, external sales and investment activity in supporting growth through the end of 2025, while also pointing to sectoral differences that influenced the start of 2026.
The statistics office presented these estimates as preliminary figures for the January-March period, offering a snapshot of activity across key components of the economy.