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
