Malaysia's fertility rate more than halved since 1980
Its director-general Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah attributed the decline to lifestyle changes, rising living costs, delayed marriages and a growing preference for smaller families.
"Increased participation of women in higher education and the workforce also influences family planning decisions.
"At the same time, financial pressures, career priorities, reproductive health issues and infertility are key factors that must be addressed holistically," he said in his speech delivered by LPPKN research, population and family division director Adzmel Mahmod at the Perlis Population Seminar 2025, held in conjunction with World Population Day here on Monday (Aug 11).
Themed "Perlis Population: Small State, Big Aspirations", the seminar was officiated by Perlis women, family and community development, unity and environment committee chairman Wan Badariah Wan Saad.
To combat the decline, Abdul Shukur said the government has implemented the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (Buai) initiative, which includes assistance such as intra-uterine insemination, to increase birthrates and improve public awareness on fertility issues.
He added that Perlis recorded a TFR of 1.7 in 2023 and has also seen a decrease in live births from 4,392 in 2016 to 3,878 in 2024.
"This seminar is timely to explore policies and strategies to slow the fertility decline and prepare Perlis for fast-moving demographic changes through programmes focused on three pillars, namely population, family development and human reproduction," he said. – Bernama
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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Malaysia's fertility rate more than halved since 1980
ARAU: Malaysia's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped sharply to 1.7 children per woman in 2023, down from 4.0 in 1980, signalling a demographic shift toward an ageing population, says the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN). Its director-general Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah attributed the decline to lifestyle changes, rising living costs, delayed marriages and a growing preference for smaller families. "Increased participation of women in higher education and the workforce also influences family planning decisions. "At the same time, financial pressures, career priorities, reproductive health issues and infertility are key factors that must be addressed holistically," he said in his speech delivered by LPPKN research, population and family division director Adzmel Mahmod at the Perlis Population Seminar 2025, held in conjunction with World Population Day here on Monday (Aug 11). Themed "Perlis Population: Small State, Big Aspirations", the seminar was officiated by Perlis women, family and community development, unity and environment committee chairman Wan Badariah Wan Saad. To combat the decline, Abdul Shukur said the government has implemented the Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (Buai) initiative, which includes assistance such as intra-uterine insemination, to increase birthrates and improve public awareness on fertility issues. He added that Perlis recorded a TFR of 1.7 in 2023 and has also seen a decrease in live births from 4,392 in 2016 to 3,878 in 2024. "This seminar is timely to explore policies and strategies to slow the fertility decline and prepare Perlis for fast-moving demographic changes through programmes focused on three pillars, namely population, family development and human reproduction," he said. – Bernama
Daily Express
04-08-2025
- Daily Express
Early marriage among pressing issues
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Flovia said early marriage continues to be one of Sabah's most pressing social issues. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government remains committed to addressing early and child marriage through a series of proactive, community-based programmes aimed at protecting the future of youth, particularly in rural areas. Assistant Minister of Community Development and People's Well-being (KPMKR) Datuk Flovia Ng, said that despite ongoing challenges, the Government has been actively implementing outreach and awareness initiatives since 2023, targeting vulnerable communities across the State. Speaking at the Sabah State Population Seminar 2025, held at the Federal Government Administration Complex Auditorium here in conjunction with World Population Day. Flovia said early marriage continues to be one of Sabah's most pressing social issues. 'This is no longer a distant issue. These demographic challenges are real, and they are happening now. We must respond collectively and urgently,' she said. Among the key government-led initiatives is the Child Marriage Issue Programme (Mipa), organised by the Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa), which has reached over 1,000 participants across Tongod, Tenom, Nabawan, Ranau, Telupid and Kota Belud. 'These programmes educate children, families and the wider community about the dangers of child marriage, promote reproductive health awareness, and strengthen family resilience,' she said. Flovia noted that poverty, lack of education, and cultural pressures remain major contributing factors, and tackling them requires a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach. She also highlighted that Sabah's fertility rate has declined to 1.5 children per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, raising red flags about population balance and the long-term implications of an ageing society. 'To address this, we need robust social systems that support not only youth development but also elder care, including age-friendly healthcare and sustainable family structures,' she said. Flovia called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, engagement with civil society and more inclusive policies that empower youth with the knowledge and tools to make informed life decisions. 'The government cannot act alone. Success depends on cooperation with NGOs, educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders,' she said. Themed 'Early Marriage Trends in Sabah – Its Impact on Marriage Institutions', the seminar aimed to spark cross-sector dialogue and provide meaningful policy input to address Sabah's evolving demographic realities. Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary of the KPMKR Henry Idol, heads of federal and state departments and students from various educational institutions. Flovia expressed hope that the seminar would help shape long-term, inclusive policies focused on children, youth and family well-being as the foundation of a resilient and balanced population. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
21-07-2025
- The Sun
Rising cost of living delays youth marriages, says deputy minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The increasing cost of living has become the primary reason many young Malaysians delay marriage and starting families, according to Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She cited a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report stating that nearly one in five adults across 14 countries may not achieve their desired family size due to financial constraints. 'Of this group, 39 per cent cited financial constraints as the main barrier, including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies, to listen, understand, and act,' she said during the 2025 World Population Day celebration. To address the issue, the government has introduced initiatives such as maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, and financial aid for low-income families. Awareness programmes on reproductive and family health are also being conducted. Malaysia's fertility rate has declined to 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1. Noraini noted that only 93,500 births were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, an 11 per cent drop compared to the previous year. 'These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,' she said. The government is implementing the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), aiming to assist 30,000 couples by 2025. Additional programmes like PEKERTI, SMARTSTART, and Kafe\@TEEN are also being expanded to promote family planning and reproductive health. This year's World Population Day celebration has been extended to the state level, engaging over 5,000 participants. The event also featured the launch of UNFPA's State of World Population 2025 report, highlighting global fertility challenges and opportunities. – Bernama
