1.2 Million Establishments Targeted for the 2026 Economic Census, Kuala Lumpur Leads Service-Sector Growth

Kuala Lumpur, El Sky News – 20 November 2025 – Malaysia’s economic momentum is expected to remain strong, supported by a resilient domestic sector, particularly within the Federal Territory. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has announced an ambitious target for the 2026 Economic Census (BE 2026), with an estimated 1.2 million establishments nationwide set to participate.

Chief Statistician of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, urged all parties to fulfil their national responsibility by taking part in the census, which will run from February to October 2026. Carrying the theme “Data, the Pulse of the People’s Economy,” the census plays a crucial role in strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness, accelerating innovation, and ensuring a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economic future.

Kuala Lumpur Remains a Key Driver of National GDP

While Selangor continues to be the largest contributor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur once again proves its position as the second-highest contributor to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to DOSM, W.P. Kuala Lumpur accounted for 16.1 percent of Malaysia’s GDP in 2024, amounting to RM265.8 billion. This reflects a significant growth of 6.2 percent compared to the previous year.

Service Sector Accelerates, Construction Surges

Breakdown of economic data in the Federal Territory highlights the core drivers of growth:

Service Sector (Key Sub-Sectors):
The service sector continues to dominate Kuala Lumpur’s economy, expanding by 5.5 percent—outpacing the national average of 5.3 percent. This growth is backed by several critical sub-sectors, including:

• Wholesale and retail trade
• Food, beverage, and accommodation
• Finance, insurance, real estate, and business services

Construction Sector:
This sector posted an impressive surge, growing by 21.1 percent.

Manufacturing Sector:
Manufacturing recorded a positive increase of 4.3 percent.

BE 2026: Strengthening Malaysia’s Business Ecosystem

Of the 1.2 million establishments targeted nationwide, approximately 180,000 are expected to be located within the Federal Territory, marking a 19.5 percent increase compared to the 2023 census.

The breakdown of establishments in W.P. Kuala Lumpur is as follows:

• Micro: 58.7%
• Small: 35.0%
• Medium: 1.6%
• Large: 4.7%

BE 2026 will encompass all businesses and non-profit institutions across Malaysia, covering every major economic sector—agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining and quarrying, and services.

Conclusion

The latest data from DOSM paints a clear picture of Kuala Lumpur’s position as a dynamic hub for services and commerce. With service-sector growth surpassing the national rate, alongside strong performance in construction and manufacturing, high-quality data from BE 2026 will become a vital “pulse” for policymakers. This will enable the government to craft effective development strategies and ensure Malaysia stays firmly on track towards building a competitive and future-ready economy.