POPULATION AND FAMILY POLICIES IN MALAYSIA

Dato’ Dr. Siti Norlasiah Ismail

Director General

National Population and Family Development Board

National Population Conference on the Inter-

Relationship Between Population Dynamics and

Development

Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort, Putrajaya

26 June 2014

Can We Achieve 70 Million?Can We Achieve 70 Million?

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

Percent Distribution of Population and Dependency Ratio

The Share of Working-Age Population has Soared from 50% in 1970 to 65% in 2010. But Young People

is Declining

The Share of Working-Age Population has Soared from 50% in 1970 to 65% in 2010. But Young People

is Declining

We are at the “Replacement Fertility Level” !

We are at the “Replacement Fertility Level” !

Total fertility rate, Malaysia, 1963 – 2012

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Various Vital Statistics, 1963-2010.

4.9

3.9 3.

4 3.0

Singulate mean age at first marriage (SMAM), Malaysia, 1970 to 2010

Source: World Marriage Data 2012, United Nations

YearSMAM (years)

Men Women

1970 25.6 22.1

1980 26.6 23.5

1991 27.9 24.6

2000 28.6 25.1

2010 28.0 25.7

People Now Marry LaterPeople Now Marry Later

Malaysia Will Becoming An Ageing Nation in 2035

Malaysia Will Becoming An Ageing Nation in 2035

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia (1995), Population and Housing Census of Malaysia, 1991.Department of Statistics Malaysia (2001), Population and Housing Census of Malaysia, 2000.Department of Statistics Malaysia (2012), Population Projections, Malaysia, 2010-2040

 Percentage of population aged 60 years or older, Malaysia, 1990 to 2040

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

•The Government recognised the inter-linkages between population and development processes

•The Government recognised that continued population growth does not necessarily have a negative effect on development

•A larger population, and the increased domestic market can be beneficial in achieving national development goals provided that the quality and productivity of the population are being constantly raised

•A specific population size of 70 million was identified as an ideal target towards which Malaysia might aim at by 2100.

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia

Second Population Strategic Plan Study, 2009 shows that Malaysian families are getting smaller and the total fertility rate is dropping much faster. Some recommendations:

Other Population-

related Policies

NSP provides the framework for the planning and implementation of social development programmes, to create a progressive and established Malaysian society with every member having the opportunity to develop his/her potential.

Specifically, the NSP seeks to:

i. To ensure that the basic necessities of the individual, family and community are provided for;

ii. To develop and empower humans for life;

iii. To consolidate and develop the social support system and services; and

iv. To generate multi-sector synergy.

NSP being reviewed, to be replaced with a New Social Model.

National Social Policy (2003)National Social Policy (2003)

The setting/issues Policy response Impact

• Women have made great stride in education, but still lagging in employment and decision-making.

• Increased recognition of women’s role.

• The 1989 National Policy on Women was revised in 2009, to ensure an equitable sharing of resources and benefits of development for men and women.

• Increased female labor force participation, especially among the higher educated.

• More and more women are holding key positions in government and private sector.

• Contributing to family wellbeing and national development.

National Women PolicyNational Women Policy

The setting/issues

Policy response Impact

• Increasing life expectancy

• Older people will make up 15% of pop by 2030 from 8% now

• Under-utilization of human resources

• Care and support dwindling extended family

• Inadequate social protection

• High cost of long term care

• New policy based on a review of the 1995 National Policy for the Elderly and the principles of the MIPAA, to ensure an enabling and supportive environment for the well-being of older people, and to promote healthy, active and productive ageing.

• Raise retirement age to 60.

• 100% tax rebate on cost to retrain older persons.

• Tax rebate of up to RM5,000 to encourage family care.

• The effectiveness of the various programs has not been evaluated.

• More older people are expected to continue working following the extension of retirement age.

National Policy for Older Persons and Plan of Action (2011)

National Policy for Older Persons and Plan of Action (2011)

The setting/issues

Policy response Impact

• Problems of youth sexuality and RH

• Drug addiction• HIV/AIDS• Erosion of

parental guidance

• Negative influence of social media

• National Reproductive Health and Social Education Policy in 2009, aims to empower adolescents with knowledge and positive attitudes towards social and reproductive health.

• 2011- Implement of Reproductive Health and Social Education (RHSE) in the National Service Training Curriculum (PLKN) PEKERTI@PLKN

• 2012- PEKERTI@SEKOLAH

• The Government of Malaysia has established thirteen youth-friendly adolescent centres known as kafe@TEEN

National Policy on Reproductive Health and Social Education(PEKERTI)

National Policy on Reproductive Health and Social Education(PEKERTI)

Source: Malaysian Census, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010

Family in Malaysia: Socio-demographic

context

Family in Malaysia: Socio-demographic

context Number of Households, Family Size, Family Structure, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010

Family policy

in Malays

ia

• A collaboration between MWFCD and TalentCorp

• Divided into means-tested and non-means tested under Child Act 2001 and Care Centre Act 1993

•Maternity leave• Paternity leave

•NFP adopted in 2010 to prioritise family perspective in all development efforts to ensure quality generations. It aims to develop prosperous, healthy and resilient families to ensure social stability.

• 3 Strategic Thrusts:Commitment/ involvement of various stakeholders;Enforcement of laws and regulations; andServices and family-friendly facilities are accessible.

National Family Policy (2010)National Family Policy (2010)

National Family Policy (2010): StrategiesNational Family Policy (2010): Strategies

NFP

1MalaysiaFamily FirstMovement

Family perspectiv

e commitme

nt

Review policies and laws to be

more family friendly

Accessibility to family

friendly services

Current Programme for FamilyCurrent Programme for Family

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

Family Wellbeing Index Domain score

23

Family Wellbeing Index 2011Family Wellbeing Index 2011

Moving Ahead: Recommendations for Family Policy

Moving Ahead: Recommendations for Family Policy

25