POPULATION AND FAMILY

POLICIES IN MALAYSIA
Dato Dr. Siti Norlasiah Ismail
Director General
National Population and Family Development Board

National Population Conference on the InterRelationship Between Population Dynamics and

Development
Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort, Putrajaya
26 June 2014

Can We Achieve 70 Million?

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

The Share of Working-Age Population has Soared

from 50% in 1970 to 65% in 2010. But Young People is
Declining
Percent Distribution of Population and Dependency Ratio

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

We are at the Replacement Fertility

Level !
Total fertility rate, Malaysia, 1963 2012

4.
9

3.
9

3.
4

3.
0

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Various Vital Statistics, 1963-2010.

People Now Marry Later

Singulate mean age at first marriage (SMAM), Malaysia, 1970 to 2010

Year

SMAM (years)
Men

Women

1970

25.6

22.1

1980

26.6

23.5

1991

27.9

24.6

2000

28.6

25.1

2010

28.0

25.7

Source: World Marriage Data 2012, United Nations

Malaysia Will Becoming An Ageing Nation in

2035

Percentage of population aged 60 years or older, Malaysia, 1990 to 2040

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (1995), Population and Housing Census of Malaysia, 1991.
Department of Statistics Malaysia (2001), Population and Housing Census of Malaysia, 2000.
Department of Statistics Malaysia (2012), Population Projections, Malaysia, 2010-2040

Evolution of Population Policy in

Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in

Malaysia
The Government recognised the interlinkages between population
development processes

and

The Government recognised that

continued population growth does not
necessarily have a negative effect on
development
A larger population, and the increased
domestic market can be beneficial in
achieving national development goals
provided
that
the
quality
and
productivity of the population are
being constantly raised
A specific population size of 70 million
was identified as an ideal target
towards which Malaysia might aim at
by 2100.

Evolution of Population Policy in

Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in

Malaysia
Second Population Strategic Plan Study, 2009 shows
that Malaysian families are getting smaller and the total
fertility rate is dropping much faster. Some
recommendations:

Other
Populationrelated
Policies

National Social Policy (2003)

NSP provides the framework for the planning and implementation of

social development programmes, to create a progressive and
established Malaysian society with every member having the
opportunity to develop his/her potential.

Specifically, the NSP seeks to:

i.

To ensure that the basic necessities of the individual, family

and community are provided for;

ii. To develop and empower humans for life;

iii. To consolidate and develop the social support system and
services; and
iv. To generate multi-sector synergy.
NSP

being reviewed, to be replaced with a New Social Model.

National Women Policy

The setting/issues

Women have
made great
stride in
education, but
still lagging in
employment
and decisionmaking.
Increased
recognition of
womens role.

Policy response

The 1989 National

Policy on Women was
revised in 2009, to
ensure an equitable
sharing of resources
and benefits of
development for men
and women.

Impact

Increased female labor

force participation,
especially among the
higher educated.
More and more women
are holding key positions
in government and
private sector.
Contributing to family
wellbeing and national
development.

National Policy for Older Persons and Plan of

Action (2011)
The
setting/issues

Increasing life
expectancy
Older people
will make up
15% of pop by
2030 from 8%
now
Under-utilization
of human
resources
Care and
support
dwindling
extended family
Inadequate
social protection
High cost of
long term care

Policy response

New policy based on a

review of the 1995

National Policy for the
Elderly and the principles
of the MIPAA, to ensure an
enabling and supportive
environment for the wellbeing of older people, and
to promote healthy, active
and productive ageing.
Raise retirement age to
60.
100% tax rebate on cost to
retrain older persons.
Tax rebate of up to
RM5,000 to encourage
family care.

Impact
The effectiveness
of the various
programs has not
been evaluated.
More older people
are expected to
continue working
following the
extension of
retirement age.

National Policy on Reproductive Health and Social Education

(PEKERTI)

The
setting/issues

Policy response

Problems of
National
youth sexuality
Reproductive
and RH
Health and Social
Education Policy in
Drug addiction
2009, aims to
HIV/AIDS
empower
Erosion of
adolescents with
parental
knowledge and
guidance
positive attitudes
Negative
towards social and
influence of
reproductive
social media
health.

Impact
2011- Implement of
Reproductive Health
and Social Education
(RHSE) in the
National Service
Training Curriculum
(PLKN)
PEKERTI@PLKN
2012PEKERTI@SEKOLAH
The Government of
Malaysia has
established thirteen
youth-friendly
adolescent centres
known as kafe@TEEN

Family in Malaysia: Socio-demographic

context

Number of Households, Family Size, Family Structure, 1980, 1991,

2000, 2010

Source: Malaysian Census, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010

 Maternity leave
Paternity leave

Family
policy
in
Malays
ia

Divided into
means-tested and
non-means tested
under Child Act
2001 and Care
Centre Act 1993
A collaboration
between MWFCD
and TalentCorp

National Family Policy (2010)

NFP adopted in 2010 to prioritise family perspective
in all development efforts to ensure quality
generations. It aims to develop prosperous, healthy
and resilient families to ensure social stability.
3 Strategic Thrusts:
Commitment/ involvement of various stakeholders;
Enforcement of laws and regulations; and
Services and family-friendly facilities are accessible.

National Family Policy (2010): Strategies

Current Programme for Family

NFP

1Malaysia
Family First
Movement

Family
perspectiv
e
commitme
nt

Review
policies and
laws to be
more family
friendly

Accessibil
ity to
family
friendly
services

Family Wellbeing Index 2011

23

Moving Ahead:
Recommendations for Family Policy

25