Malaysia’s fast-ageing population turns looming crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — In Southeast Asia, Malaysia is facing a demographic shift that could reshape its economy and social structure.

The country, known for its bustling cities and economic growth, is now confronting the realities of an ageing population, raising urgent questions about elderly care, financial security, and healthcare services, according to Channel News Asia.

For Siti Zaharah Mat, these challenges are deeply personal. After her father’s passing in 2015, she and her six siblings took turns caring for their ageing mother. In 2020, just before the pandemic, Siti Zaharah took on the sole responsibility of looking after her now 86-year-old mother, who lives with her in Semenyih.

Despite her mother’s ability to move independently, she remains a high fall risk due to osteoporosis and a curved spine. Health complications have confined her to bed on multiple occasions. Juggling full-time work as a lawyer, Siti Zaharah credits her supportive boss for allowing flexible hours, but financial strain has forced her to take on a second job selling insurance. The burden has also taken a toll on her social life.

“Being a single person, my friends always ask me to travel together, have a staycation, or go healing somewhere … I cannot simply say yes,” she shared.

As personal struggles like hers become more common, Malaysia’s government is preparing a comprehensive policy response.

 The forthcoming White Paper on Ageing Nation Agenda, expected to be tabled in parliament by June or July, aims to address the growing concerns surrounding elderly care, retirement adequacy, and services for seniors with varying needs.

The initiative is part of the broader 13th Malaysia Plan, which outlines strategies to navigate global and domestic socio-economic challenges.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that as of 2024, 8.1 per cent of Malaysia’s population is aged 65 and above. This figure is projected to climb to 14.5 per cent by 2040, classifying the country as an “aged” society much earlier than initially expected.

Malaysia’s previous projection had targeted this milestone for 2044. The UN defines an “ageing society” as one where at least 7 per cent of the population is aged 65 and above, while an “aged society” has over 14 per cent, and a “super-aged” society surpasses 20 per cent.

One of the main drivers of this rapid demographic shift is declining fertility rates. Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri highlighted in February that Malaysia’s total fertility rate had dropped from 2.2 in 2012 to just 1.7 in 2023, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to sustain population levels.

Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli first announced in August 2023 that the government was working on a national ageing white paper. By November, officials had developed a framework covering critical areas such as pensions, insurance, and legal reforms to support the growing needs of elderly citizens.

Experts warn that limited support for the ageing population is already affecting Malaysia’s workforce. Lee Min Hui, a gender consultant at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), noted that many women are leaving the labour force to take on caregiving responsibilities.

“With women dropping out of the labour force for care work and older persons increasingly facing issues around care dependency and affording care, it would have been ideal if these preparations could have been made earlier,” she said.

As Malaysia moves toward becoming a full-fledged aged society, the government’s upcoming white paper could be a critical step in ensuring that its elderly population receives the necessary support, while also maintaining economic and social stability.