Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% year on year in the third quarter, slowing from 6% in the second quarter, according to official advance estimates. Growth was recorded in all sectors except mining and quarrying, which fell 4.9%, with services up 5.4%, manufacturing up 7.5% on export-oriented industries, and construction up 6%, partly supported by data centre projects. The country has benefited from the global AI infrastructure boom that has boosted demand for its tech products and semiconductors. The government raised its 2026 growth projection for a second time this year, now expecting growth near the upper end of the 4.8% to 5.3% range, and forecasts 4.2% to 5.2% for 2027. The central bank has kept its policy rate at 2.75% since May last year, and final Q3 GDP data will be released on Nov 18.
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Malaysia's economy grew 5.3% year-on-year in the third quarter, slowing from 6% in the second quarter, according to advance estimates from the statistics department. Services rose 5.4%, manufacturing gained 7.5% on export-oriented industries and construction grew 6%, partly supported by data centre projects, while mining and quarrying fell 4.9%. Malaysia, a regional data centre hub, has benefited from the global AI infrastructure boom that has boosted demand for its tech products and semiconductors. The government raised its 2026 growth forecast for the second time this year to near the upper end of its 4.8% to 5.3% range, and the central bank has held its policy rate at 2.75% since May last year. Final third-quarter GDP data will be released on November 18.
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