Delayed parenthood, changing priorities and financial pressures are contributing to Malaysia’s declining birth rate, says a family studies expert.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s declining birth rate is not simply a matter of couples choosing to have fewer children, but reflects broader social and economic changes that are reshaping how young people approach marriage and family life, a family studies expert said.
In conjunction with World Population Day, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah human development and family studies expert Dr Noradilah Md Nordin said many young Malaysians still aspire to marry and have children, but are delaying those milestones as they navigate changing educational, economic and social realities.
“Many young Malaysians spend several years pursuing higher education, establishing their careers and achieving financial independence before considering marriage.
“After graduation, they often prioritise securing stable employment, repaying education loans, saving for a home and preparing for the long-term responsibilities of parenthood.” Noradilah said delayed parenthood, rather than an outright decision to have fewer children, appears to be the more common pattern among young Malaysians.
“Research shows that delayed parenthood may lead to smaller family sizes as fertility declines with age, particularly among women. Consequently, postponing the first birth may ultimately result in smaller family sizes.”
She said at the same time, some couples intentionally plan for smaller families because of financial and practical responsibilities associated with raising children, including childcare, education, healthcare, housing and balancing work and family life.
Noradilah said the concept of starting a family has evolved compared with previous generations, in which marriage and parenthood were often viewed as natural milestones shaped by love, cultural values, family expectations and, for Muslims, marriage as part of fitrah (human nature).
“Today, while those values remain important, starting a family is increasingly associated with financial stability, secure employment, home ownership, emotional maturity and the ability to provide a good quality of life for children.
“In other words, starting a family is now viewed not only as a personal milestone but also as a long-term responsibility that requires careful planning.”
She added that while Malaysia has made progress in recognising the needs of modern families, particularly dual-income households, more could be done to strengthen support systems to keep pace with changing family roles.
However, Noradilah added that if more Malaysians continue to delay marriage and parenthood, the country could face an ageing population, greater pressure on healthcare and social protection systems and changing family caregiving arrangements.
“If more families have fewer children or remain childless, demand for long-term care, community support and aged-care services will increase.
These demographic changes highlight the need for stronger policies to support healthy ageing, family caregiving and sustainable social support systems.”
She also stressed that addressing demographic change requires a collective effort rather than placing the responsibility solely on individuals.
Noradilah said Malaysia should also place greater emphasis on preparing young adults for family life through relationship education, financial planning, parenting skills and a better understanding of the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood.
“By combining practical support with family life education, Malaysia can help young adults build resilient families that contribute to the wellbeing of future generations.”
