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KOTA BHARU - Late marriage, rising cost of living, and the postponement of pregnancy are among factors contributing to the decline in Malaysia's fertility rate.
Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah, Director-General of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), said that the country's total fertility rate (TFR) dropped from 2.1 children in 2010 to 1.6 children in 2022.
He said the current generation's tendency to delay marriage also shortens the window for couples to have children, with the average marriage age for women now rising to around 27 compared to 24 about two decades ago, while for men it is around 30.
"Couples also tend to postpone pregnancy, whereas a woman's fertile age spans from 15 to 49 years and begins to decline after the age of 35," he told reporters after officiating the Kelantan State-Level World Population Day Celebration for 2026 at the Panji Farmers Management Institute here today.
Abdul Shukur added that Malaysia is projected to attain aged nation status by 2036, which requires a comprehensive support ecosystem to ensure that healthy aging and the formation of strong families can progress hand in hand.
He added that Kelantan had a population of approximately 1.91 million in 2025, with 219,000 people or 11.5 percent aged 60 and above, while 578,500 people or 30.6 percent comprised youth aged 15 to 30.
"This demographic development shows that Kelantan must ensure senior citizens enjoy healthy aging, in addition to providing a conducive environment for the youth to build their lives and families," he said. - BERNAMA