Online recruitment in Malaysia increased by 43% in January 2022 when compared to January 2021, according to data from the Monster Employment Index (MEI).

The Monster Employment Index (MEI) moved to 67 in January 2022 from 47 in January 2021.

When compared to December 2021, online job demand reported an upsurge of 6%.

According to the Index, e-recruitment activity marked a growth of 18% in the last six months.

Job demand grew for 8 out of 9 industries monitored by the Index in January 2022 on annual basis.

Retail (+225%), IT, Telecom/ISP, BPO/ITES (business process outsourcing/IT enabled services) (+57%) and BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) (+48%) industries marked the sharpest rise in demand for jobs in January 2022 from the year-ago level.

All monitored industries except Oil and Gas (-9%) noticed an increase in hiring activity annually in January 2022.

All the nine functional areas monitored by the Index registered increased annual demand in January 2022.

Demand for all professionals reported monthly as well as an annual upsurge in hiring demand in January 2022. Hospitality & Travel (+183%), Software, Hardware, Telecom (+127%) and Finance & Accounts (+46%) noticed the steepest increase in recruitment activity from the year ago level.

The Index is a broad and comprehensive monthly and quarterly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by Monster.