The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) said that in the year 2016 alone, there were 200,000 unemployed graduates in Malaysia. The number does not include the ones that have just completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), diplomas, certificate programmes.



The Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and JobStreet conducted a number of surveys on local fresh graduates and their employment patterns last year and here are some surprising information based on their findings:



1. One in four fresh graduates in Malaysia remains unemployed for six months after their graduation.



2. Six out of those unemployed are below the age of 24.



3. A majority of unemployed fresh graduates are from public universities at 51%. This is despite the fact that 64% of employers that took part in a JobStreet survey said that it doesn't matter to them on whether the graduates are from public, private or foreign universities.



4. 68% of employers think that Malaysian fresh graduates have unrealistic expectations for salary and employment benefits.



5. Three main reasons why fresh graduates remain unemployed are: poor attitude, lack of English proficiency, and poor communication skills.