Tech Talent on the Move: Three in five tech professionals in Malaysia looking to move jobs in the next 12 months

Malaysia, 12August 2025 - Hays, the world's leading recruitment and workforce solutions specialist, has revealed that 65 per cent of tech professionals in Malaysia are planning to change employers or transition into contracting within the next year. This compares to 60 per cent of tech professionals globally, suggesting buoyant movement in the Tech talent sector according to insights from the recently launched  global report, The Tech Talent Explorer. 

At the same time, findings from the Hays Asia Salary and Recruitment Trends survey revealed that 48 per cent of organisations reported experiencing moderate to extreme skills shortages over the past year. This combination of employee mobility and persistent talent gaps suggests mounting competition for skilled tech professionals in Malaysia.  

Malaysia vs. Global key findings:

  • 63 per cent of permanent tech professionals in Malaysia intend to change organisation in the next 12 months, compared to 53 per cent globally.

  • Two per cent plan to move into contracting, versus eight per cent globally.

  • 88 per cent of permanent tech specialists and 80 per cent of contractors in Malaysia are open to working for an organisation based abroad, compared to 86 per cent and 83 per cent globally.

  • 57 per cent are willing to relocate internationally, compared to 50 per cent of professionals globally.

Based on talent market analytics and insights from almost 10,000 tech professionals, the report identifies key motivators for changing roles globally as well as across 32 countries, including job security (68 per cent), better career progression (42 per cent) and recognition and appraisal (32 per cent). In Malaysia the top motivators are flexible work options (88 per cent), job security (87 per cent) and career progression (85 per cent) suggesting an emphasis on long-term stability, personal growth, and autonomy in how work is structured. 

Business analysts and project managers remain the highest in-demand roles locally in Malaysia, followed closely by Java developers, data engineers and product managers. With the candidate market still favourable and tech professionals increasingly aware of their value, organisations must adopt more strategic approaches to attracting and retaining key skills. 

The report also highlights the global mobility of tech talent. A significant majority of professionals are open to working for international employers, globally 87 per cent of tech specialists in permanent roles willing to work for an organisation based abroad for their next role, and 50 per cent open to relocating to another country. This is compared to 88 per cent of tech professionals in permanent roles and 80 per cent of contractors in Malaysia, with 57 per cent willing to move to abroad, indicating a higher appetite for international opportunities. This presents an opportunity for organisations based in Malaysia to tap into global talent pools, especially in regions where local supply is limited. 

The Tech Talent Explorer is an interactive tool designed for senior technology leaders seeking a competitive edge in talent strategy. It enables users to explore data on the availability, location and expectations of in-demand tech professionals, including salary and contracting rate benchmarks. By revealing what tech professionals value most - beyond just compensation - The Tech Talent Explorer enables organisations to make data-driven decisions around talent attraction, helping them to enhance their employment proposition, particularly in competitive markets and when operating under budget constraints.  

When broken down by skill area, the data reveals that 28 per cent of experts in cybersecurity are set to explore new opportunities in Malaysia. Similarly, 18 per cent of software development professionals are considering a move. In contrast, artificial intelligence professionals are the least likely to want away from their current employer as one per cent stated their attention to look elsewhere – this could be due to the nature of these roles, which often involve longer-term projects for which professionals will likely want to oversee the results.  

 

James Milligan, Global Head of STEM at Hays says:

“The global tech talent landscape continues to undergo significant transformation. With over half of tech professionals actively considering a move, and many open to working across borders, the competition for skilled talent is intensifying at a time when businesses are already struggling to attract and retain key skills.  

“The findings from our study highlight the importance of effective employer branding and the need for organisations to optimise their employment proposition by truly understanding what professionals value the most in a potential employer. 

“The Tech Talent Explorer equips organisations with the insights they need to respond strategically. By aligning their offering with the expectations of today’s tech workforce, businesses can build compelling, targeted propositions that attract and retain the talent critical to innovation and growth.  

“Upskilling is also a crucial part of this equation. Offering development opportunities not only strengthens internal capabilities but also signals a clear commitment to long-term career growth, making organisations more attractive to top tech talent.”   

 

Natasha Ishak, Regional Director at Hays Malaysia says:

"Malaysia’s tech professionals are part of a globally mobile workforce that’s increasingly aware of their value. With high demand for AI, and cybersecurity skills across borders, many are exploring roles abroad that offer not just better pay, but exposure to cutting-edge projects and progressive work cultures." 

"The desire for mobility goes beyond just compensation. It’s the perception of career ceilings locally, where progression can feel slower or less dynamic compared to global tech hubs. Professionals are looking for environments that offer autonomy, innovation, and a clear path forward. This is especially true for younger talent who are digitally fluent, eager to make an impact and willing to relocate in the name of upwards career mobility." 

"Global organisations have a real opportunity here. By tapping into Malaysia’s highly skilled and English-proficient tech talent, they can build agile, diverse teams that bring regional insight and technical depth. Those willing to invest in long-term relationships with local talent will be best positioned to lead in a borderless digital economy." 

 

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The Hays Tech Talent Explorer research was completed in early 2025 and features talent market analytics across 32 countries and input from almost 10,000 tech professionals worldwide. The report allows users investigate the costs, availability, plans, desires, and skills priorities of IT/Tech professionals (permanent and contracting) across markets globally. 

Access the report here. 

 

Contact 

Sonel Singh, Head of Marketing, Southeast Asia, Hays 
T: +60 3 7890 6351 
E: sonel.singh@hays.com.my 

Eunice Lee, Global External Communications Executive, Hays  
T: +44 333 010 2648 
E: Eunice.lee@hays.com 

 

About Hays

Hays plc (the "Group") is the world’s leading specialist in recruitment and workforce solutions, such as Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) and Managed Service Provider (MSP). The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional, and skilled people worldwide, being the market leader in the UK, Germany, and Australia and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Group operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments. As of 31 December 2024, the Group employed over 10,300 staff operating from 225 offices in 33 countries. For the year ended 30 June 2024: 

  • the Group reported net fees of £1,113.6 million and operating profit of £105.1 million. 

  • the Group placed around 57,700 candidates into permanent jobs and around 225,000 people into temporary roles. 

  • 13% of Group net fees were generated in Australia & New Zealand, 32% in Germany, 20% in United Kingdom & Ireland and 35% in Rest of World (RoW). 

  • the temporary placement business represented 59% of net fees and the permanent placement business represented 41% of net fees. 

  • Technology is the Group’s largest division, with 25% of net fees, while Accountancy & Finance (15%) and Engineering (11%), are the next largest. 

  • Hays operates in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, the UK, and the USA.