What Rising Graduate Underemployment Tells Us About Malaysia’s Economic Structure
Malaysia is producing more graduates than ever, yet many are stuck in low-paying, mismatched jobs that offer little upward mobility. Real wages are stagnating, the graduate premium is shrinking, and the private sector isn’t creating enough high-skilled opportunities to absorb rising talent. As a result, higher education—once a reliable path to success—is becoming an increasingly risky investment.
So how did we get here, and what must change to rebuild the value of a degree?