For many who have just graduated, it is an exciting time to enter the job market. But this sentiment is not necessarily shared by everyone across the board. Indeed, some might opt not to look for work despite having completed their education.

Last year, 841,300 Malayians opted not to enter the job market after graduation. Here are the top six reasons for this, drawing on data published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia.

1. Housework and family responsibilities

Some 296,600 graduates cited this reason for not looking for work last year, with 90.4% of them being female. This could reflect the societal pressure on women to have to take up more of the family’s responsibilities and housework.

2. Schooling and training

It is not uncommon for graduates to pursue further courses and training programmes before venturing into the working world. About 270,800 graduates cited this as a reason last year, with women making up the bigger majority at 57.8%.

It could be that graduates chose to upskill themselves through practical courses as their education might have been too general or theoretical.

3. Retirement or old age

This is actually surprising, showing that education doesn’t stop when you are done with school. Many take up education later in life, with 211,100 graduates citing this reason last year.

Men made up the majority at 69.5%.

4. Further study

Many Malaysians opted to further their studies, especially given that the pandemic was in full swing. About 41,000 graduates cited this reason last year, with men making up the majority at 76.1%.

This is in contrast with 2019, when only 8,300 graduates cited further study as a reason for not working.

5. Disability

Unfortunately, the job market in Malaysia remains unfriendly and discriminatory, with resources and facilities to support the disabled in the workforce still limited.

About 15,800 graduates cited disability as the reason for not looking for work last year, with a majority of them being men (69%). While the situation has improved throughout the years, graduates with some type of impairment still find it hard to find work, and some may have even given up.

6. Taking a break or just finished studying

About 6,000 graduates cited this reason last year, with the majority being women at 53.3%. It is possible they were taking a break or vacation before looking for work, which makes sense as entering the job market is a major shift that represents more responsibilities and worries.

This article first appeared in MyPF. Follow MyPF to simplify and grow your personal finances on Facebook and Instagram.