KUALA LUMPUR: Lack of a suitable partner and financial pressures are among the main reasons Malaysians remain unmarried, although more than eight in 10 single individuals still express an intention to marry, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said 50.6% of unmarried individuals cited the absence of a suitable partner, while 47.2% pointed to financial factors, according to the Sixth Malaysian Population and Family Survey (KPKM-6).
The survey, conducted every 10 years by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), provides data to guide family-related policies.
It involved 16,273 households across Malaysia, spanning five respondent groups, namely married women or men, adolescents, single residents and senior citizens.
Nancy said financial pressures are also affecting couples planning to marry, with the average minimum wedding expenditure rising from RM20,047 a decade ago to RM27,332.
“Therefore, financial management skills need to be strengthened among them.
“However, the survey found that the desire to start a family remains strong,” she said during the unveiling of the survey yesterday.
The survey also found that the average household size fell from 4.0 persons in 2014 to 3.8 in 2024. During the same period, the average age at first marriage rose to 27.1 years for men and 24 years for women, she added.
She also said the findings highlight the importance of support systems for families, particularly as more married couples juggle work and caregiving responsibilities.
“Consequently, the responsibility of managing the household and caring for children should be shared between husband and wife, supplemented by support from family members and access to appropriate childcare facilities.
“Grandparents continue to play a significant role in childcare, looking after 25.3% of children aged six and below, while another 17.5% were cared for at childcare centres,” she said.
Separately, Nancy said the survey also highlighted that 63.9% of adolescents had a low level of reproductive health knowledge, while 24.7% exhibited at least three symptoms of mental health issues.
“Among senior citizens, 45.9% reported receiving financial support from their children, highlighting the continued role of families as a key source of support.
“However, the findings also showed improvements in the well-being of older adults, with 72% reporting that they did not experience loneliness, compared with 65.8% in 2014.
“These positive developments should be further strengthened to ensure that older adults remain active, feel valued and continue to play a role in community life,” she added.
