Latest news with #PerlisPopulationSeminar2025
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia's fertility rate drops to 1.7 as ageing population looms
ARAU: Malaysia's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined significantly to 1.7 children per woman in 2023, down from 4.0 in 1980. The National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) warned that this signals a shift towards an ageing population. LPPKN director-general Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah linked the drop to changing lifestyles, higher living costs, and later marriages. He also noted a growing preference for smaller families among Malaysians. 'Increased participation of women in higher education and the workforce also influences family planning decisions,' he said. Financial pressures, career priorities, and reproductive health issues were identified as additional contributing factors. His speech was delivered by LPPKN Research, Population and Family Division director Adzmel Mahmod at the Perlis Population Seminar 2025. The seminar, themed 'Perlis Population: Small State, Big Aspirations', was officiated by Perlis Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Wan Badariah Wan Saad. To address the fertility decline, Abdul Shukur highlighted the government's Fertility Treatment Assistance and Infertility Advocacy (BuAI) initiative. The programme includes Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) support to boost birth rates and raise awareness. Perlis recorded a TFR of 1.7 in 2023, alongside a drop in live births from 4,392 in 2016 to 3,878 last year. 'This seminar is timely to explore policies to slow fertility decline and prepare Perlis for demographic shifts,' he added. The event focused on population, family development, and human reproduction strategies. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- 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
