Low birth rates impact Malaysia’s human capital, economic development, says MCA

In 2021, Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) dropped below the replacement level of fertility at 1.7 children per woman. This presents a vicious cycle which also accelerates Malaysia’s ageing, causing issues in the labour market, and stunting the national economic development.

Therefore, the government must deploy relevant comprehensive short, medium, long-term strategies in a targeted manner and take precautionary measures to deal with the ensuing difficulties.