LinkedIn crosses two million members in Malaysia
By Digital News Asia February 27, 2015
- Malaysian members generally young, affluent, upwardly mobile and sophisticated
- SEA membership includes 4mil in Indonesia, 2mil in Philippines, 1mil in Singapore
SOCIAL network company LinkedIn, which has over 347 million members globally, said it has surpassed two million members in Malaysia.
The milestone follows the launch of the Bahasa Malaysia language mobile app in 2014 and LinkedIn’s introduction of the Traditional Chinese language, which together are appealing to a broader cross-section of professionals in Malaysia, it said in a statement.
Including Malaysia, LinkedIn’s member base in South-East Asia is now more than 12 million, and more than 64 million in Asia Pacific.
Other countries in South-East Asia that have more than a million members include Indonesia (more than four million), the Philippines (more than two million) and Singapore (more than one million), LinkedIn said.
“This is an important milestone underscoring a trend that professionals in Malaysia are eager to tap the potential economic opportunities that come with online professional networking,” said Cliff Rosenberg (pic), managing director of LinkedIn for South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“Back in November 2012 when we had a million members in Malaysia, LinkedIn was emerging as a platform for professionals in the country to establish their online brand, gain insights and find new business or career opportunities.
“Today, our members represent a myriad of industries, companies and careers, and are using LinkedIn’s expanded range of features to scale new professional heights,” he added.
Rosenberg said that LinkedIn is also seeking ways to better serve small and medium businesses (SMBs), which as a group comprise 97% of businesses in Malaysia.
“Doing so also helps us build the world’s first economic graph, to facilitate the free flow of all forms of capital – human, intellectual and working – to where and when it is needed most,” he said.
Members in Malaysia are aspirational in their outlook and upwardly mobile, based on LinkedIn’s data, the company said:
- Young, affluent, upwardly mobile and sophisticated: 72% of members in Malaysia are in the 25-44 age group. In spite of their youth, over two-thirds (69%) are accomplished professionals holding senior positions at their organisations.
- Constantly on the go: LinkedIn members in Malaysia use the Internet – across multiple devices – more than any other form of media, with 87% accessing the Internet via their mobile devices, every day. 80% have travelled internationally for leisure over the past year and almost two-thirds (64%) have travelled internationally on business over the past 12 months.
- Ambitious for career advancement opportunities: 81% of LinkedIn Malaysia members want to get to the top of their chosen career path. To this end, 77% of them look to LinkedIn as a primary destination for business-related content that will aid in their day-to-day corporate tasks. 73% of Malaysians also utilise LinkedIn to connect with other professionals and 53% consider LinkedIn a medium to seek for job opportunities.
Other facts
As a significant energy producer, the oil and energy sector tops the industries most followed by LinkedIn members in Malaysia. Shell and Petronas are the companies most followed by members in Malaysia.
The Malaysian companies most followed by LinkedIn’s members are more diverse, with two each from the energy (Petronas and SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd) and finance (Maybank and CIMB) sectors. AirAsia rounds up the top five in this category.
Members in Malaysia, whether they are working professionals or students, have graduated from or are currently pursuing their education at these established institutions.
This is in line with the overall profile of LinkedIn members in Malaysia – young, affluent and upwardly mobile, the company said.
Related Stories:
LinkedIn offers peek into Malaysian user behaviour, talent trends
Malaysians prize workplace relationships: LinkedIn survey
Senior professionals in Singapore value money and family: LinkedIn survey
SEA companies to spend more to attract top talent in 2015: LinkedIn
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.