KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is undergoing a significant demographic transformation, marked by a continuous decline in its fertility rates.
According to the latest demographic statistics released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), live births in Malaysia decreased by 12.3% to 100,645 in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 114,764 births in the same period the year before.
Similarly, the total fertility rate (TFR) declined from 2.1 children per woman aged 15-49 in 2010 to 1.7 children in 2023, well below the replacement level of 2.1. (The replacement level is the average number of children a woman must have to replace herself and her partner to ensure population stability in the absence of migration.)
This trend, according to experts, carries profound implications for Malaysia’s future. This is because a shrinking younger population due to falling fertility rates can lead to labour shortages, slower economic growth and increased pressure on social welfare systems to support an ageing population.
Health experts attribute this decline to a range of factors, including rising living costs, delayed marriage, urbanisation, shifting gender roles and evolving career aspirations among women.
RISING COSTS OF PARENTHOOD
Dr Wan Hilya Munira Mustapha, head of the Reproductive Health Unit at the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), opined that a key driver of this demographic shift is the rising cost of living, particularly in urban areas, which poses huge financial challenges in raising children.
“Beyond economic concerns, societal shifts have also played a significant role in altering family dynamics, one of the most notable changes being the trend of delayed marriage.
HEALTH, INFERTILITY ISSUES
Dr Wan Hilya Munira added that health concerns, particularly subfertility and infertility, further compound the decline in fertility.
FAMILY PLANNING
Dr Wan Hilya Munira also emphasised the importance of family planning and access to contraceptive methods to address Malaysia’s demographic challenges.
Rising to these challenges, the government has announced a range of initiatives to address the decline in fertility rates, including financial incentives for parents, such as tax benefits, childcare subsidies and paid parental leave, to ease the financial burden of raising children.
CONCLUSION
Malaysia’s declining fertility rates pose significant challenges for the country’s future. To address these challenges, a holistic approach is needed, integrating economic, social and health strategies to promote higher birth rates and balanced family sizes.
FAQs
Q: What are the main factors contributing to the decline in Malaysia’s fertility rates?
A: Rising living costs, delayed marriage, urbanisation, shifting gender roles and evolving career aspirations among women are the main factors contributing to the decline in Malaysia’s fertility rates.
Q: What are the potential consequences of Malaysia’s declining fertility rates?
A: A shrinking younger population, labour shortages, slower economic growth and increased pressure on social welfare systems to support an ageing population are the potential consequences of Malaysia’s declining fertility rates.
Q: What are the government’s initiatives to address the decline in fertility rates?
A: The government has announced a range of initiatives, including financial incentives for parents, such as tax benefits, childcare subsidies and paid parental leave, to ease the financial burden of raising children.