TikTok Contributes RM20 Bln To Malaysia’s Digital Economy, Supports 147,000 Jobs

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- TikTok contributed about RM20 billion in gross value added (GVA) to Malaysia’s digital economy in 2025 and supported about 147,000 jobs nationwide, according to a third-party study by Kearney outlined in the Malaysia Socioeconomic Impact Report 2025.  

The report, developed by global consulting firm Kearney, estimated that the contribution accounted for about four per cent of Malaysia’s digital economy and nearly one per cent of the estimated nominal gross domestic product (GDP).

Economy Minister Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said digital platforms are opening wider opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and content creators.

“Platforms such as TikTok are showing that digital participation can translate into real economic value by expanding opportunities for MSMEs, empowering creators and opening new pathways for income and entrepreneurship,” he said in his remark when officiating the report launch.

He said that the development also supports the government’s aspirations under Malaysia MADANI and the direction of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which emphasises inclusive and sustainable growth in the digital economy.

Meanwhile, Kearney partner Gareth Pereira said the study showed the TikTok ecosystem had evolved beyond entertainment to become an economic catalyst supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Munsur bin Ramli (@myhomefresh), an entrepreneur with a disability on TikTok Shop, shared, “My business faced a decline when I fell ill in 2022. However, pivoting to TikTok Shop helped turn things around, improving my family’s finances. From having no sales at the start, I’m now making RM1,000 a day.”

Sandra Hanayu (@sandrahanayu), a TikTok creator, reflected, “I transitioned from the aviation industry to becoming a full-time content creator when I realised that the revenue from TikTok tripled my income from aviation. This shift allowed me to support my parents and fund my younger brother’s autism treatment.”

The report also noted that TikTok Shop hosts more than 1.8 million local businesses in Malaysia and has trained more than 100,000 homegrown MSMEs in collaboration with government partners.

About 97 per cent of businesses surveyed view TikTok as an important source of revenue, while many reported gaining new skills in digital marketing, content creation and LIVE  selling through the platform.

TikTok Public Policy Head for Malaysia, Firdaus Fadzil, said the platform remains committed to supporting Malaysian creators and businesses as the country’s digital economy expands.

The report found nearly 35 per cent of content creators surveyed identified themselves as full-time creators, while about 45 per cent reported earnings above Malaysia’s minimum wage from the platform alone, and 4.5 million Malaysian creators earned income via TikTok LIVE (Oct 2024-2025). 

For more information or to access the TikTok Socioeconomic Impact Report 2025, please click https://newsroom.tiktok.com/beyond-the-scroll-tiktoks-malaysia-socioeconomic-impact-report-reveals-rm20-billion-boost-to-the-digital-economy?lang=en-MY. 

-- BERNAMA