Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's volume index of services recorded a year-on-year growth of 5.8 per cent in the first quarter (1Q) of 2026, reaching 168.0 points, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the index encompasses four segments: wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage and accommodation; business services and finance; information and communication and transportation and storage; and other services. The chief statistician of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin, stated that the growth was primarily driven by the wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage, and accommodation segment, which expanded by 5.7 per cent.

Following this, the information and communication and transportation and storage segment recorded an increase of 8.1 per cent. Furthermore, the business services and finance segment experienced a growth of 3.0 per cent, while the other services segment registered a higher growth of 9.3 per cent.

DOSM reported a 5.7 per cent rise to 166.3 points in the volume index for the wholesale and retail trade, food and beverage, and accommodation segment, supported by growth in wholesale and retail trade (4.9 per cent), food and beverage (8.5 per cent), and accommodation (15.0 per cent).

Additionally, the information and communication and transportation and storage segment increased by 8.1 per cent to 191.2 points, driven by advancements in information and communication (8.0 per cent) and transportation and storage (8.3 per cent).

The business services and finance segment achieved a volume index of 156.8 points, with a growth of 3.0 per cent, supported by professional and administrative and support services (6.2 per cent), real estate (7.4 per cent), and finance and insurance (0.1 per cent). This reflects steady business activity and supportive market conditions during the quarter.

Moreover, the other services segment grew by 9.3 per cent to 146.9 points, driven by increases in arts, entertainment and recreation and personal services and other activities (8.8 per cent), private health (9.7 per cent), and private education (9.3 per cent).