KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's economy is estimated to have expanded 5.8 percent in the second quarter of 2026, accelerating from 5.4 percent in the previous quarter, driven by broad-based growth across most sectors, according to advance gross domestic product (GDP) estimates released on Friday.
The stronger performance was supported by growth in almost all major economic sectors, except agriculture, which contracted in the quarter, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement.
For the first half of 2026, the economy grew 5.6 percent, compared with 4.5 percent in the corresponding period last year.
The services sector remained the key driver of growth, expanding 5.4 percent, underpinned by wholesale and retail trade, information and communication, as well as transportation and storage activities.
Manufacturing growth accelerated to 7.5 percent from 5.9 percent in the first quarter, supported by export-oriented industries, particularly electrical, electronic products and optical products, and petroleum, chemicals, rubber and plastics products.
The mining and quarrying sector rebounded strongly, growing 10.2 percent after contracting 2.1 percent in the previous quarter, led by higher natural gas production.
Meanwhile, construction growth moderated to 6.6 percent from 7.7 percent, supported by non-residential building projects, particularly data centers, while the agriculture sector contracted 3.7 percent after expanding 2.6 percent in the first quarter. ■