Malaysia turns out to be old, with ageing now a national priority
Despite the average age is still around 31, seniors over 65 are already 8.1 per cent of the more than 35 million Malaysians. Their share is bound to grow rapidly due to the combined effect of longer life expectancy and ageing in a society where care for the elderly is still almost entirely delegated to families.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – Malaysia’s population is ageing fast. Although not as fast and to the same extent as in Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the trend is worrisome, as it comes amid a lack in qualified care for the elderly, so far left to families.
Staff shortages, poor services and the prospects of an ageing population are major political issues. The Economy Ministry is preparing a special White Paper On Ageing Nation Agenda as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan. The document will be tabled at the next session of parliament in June or July, laying out how the country will face domestic and global challenges.
About 8.1 per cent of Malaysia’s population of 35 million is over 65, above the 7 per cent threshold set in 2024 by the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) to define an ageing nation. This is projected to rise to 14.5 per cent by 2040.
Although not sudden, this development has not been fully appreciated until recently. Various factors can explain the situation, starting with a longer life span and a rapid decline in the birthrate, with a fertility rate dropping in a decade from 2.2 children per woman in 2012 to 1.7, well below the replacement rate.
Government officials, including Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, had referred to the White Paper some time ago, stressing the need to intervene on employment, education, public health, and long-term care.
Several analysts note that it has perhaps taken too long to build adequate support structures and contribute to a change in attitudes towards the elderly.
“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,” said Lee Min Hui, a gender consultant at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
This is especially true vis-à-vis countries where the decline started earlier and is more pronounced. Of course, compared to neighbouring Singapore, where the average age is now 43, Malaysia's 31 suggests that things are still manageable if choices are made quickly and decisively.
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19/02/2024 15:59
23/01/2024 14:30
