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
Malaysia Demographic Trends
Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia
Other Population-related Policies
Family in Malaysia
Family Policy in Malaysia
The National Family Policy
Moving Ahead: Some Recommendations for
Family Policy
Can We Achieve 70 Million?
1970:
10.4
million
1957:
6.3 million
1991:
18.4
million
2000:
23.3
million
2010:
28.3
million
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia
The Share of Working-Age Population has Soared from 50% in 1970
to 65% in 2010. But Young People is Declining
Percent Distribution of Population and Dependency Ratio
Age Group
1957
1970
1980
1991
2000
2010
0 - 14
43.8
44.9
39.9
36.5
33.3
27.4
15 - 59
51.6
49.9
54.6
57.7
60.5
64.8
60 and
above
4.6
5.2
5.5
5.8
6.2
7.9
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia
We are at the “Replacement Fertility Level” !
7.0
Total Fertility Rate
6.0
5.0
4.0
Total fertility rate, Malaysia, 1963 – 2012
6.0
4.9
3.9
3.4
3.0
2.1
3.0
2.0
1.0
1963
1965
1967
1969
1971
1973
1975
1977
1979
1981
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
0.0
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Various Vital Statistics, 1963-2010.
People Now Marry Later
Singulate mean age at first marriage (SMAM), Malaysia, 1970 to 2010
Year
SMAM (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
Source: World Marriage Data 2012, United Nations
Malaysia Will Becoming An Ageing Nation in 2035
Percentage of population aged 60 years or older, Malaysia, 1990 to 2040
16.3
14.9
13.6
12.2
10.6
9.1
7.6
5.8
5.7
1991
1995
6.2
6.6
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
2040
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
Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia
Began
from the
period of
the 1st
Malaysian
Plan (19661970)
Led to the
passage of
the
National
Family
Planning
Act No. 42,
1966
National
Family
Planning
Programme
launched
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
Reassessment of
the policy
(Population Strategic
Plan Study 1992)
Sustain population
growth that is in
balance with
resources and
development
Total
fertility
rate was
dropping
faster than
expected
The
quantitative
target of 70
million
population by
the year 2100
will, therefore,
not be
achieved
Quality of the
population is a
more concern
matter rather
than quantity
The main thrust
of our future
population
programme is to
sustain
population
growth that is in
balance with
resources and
development
The Vision 2020 Policy
stresses human resource
development as well as
the need for the
creation of an
economically resilient
and fully competitive
community
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:
1
• A period of paid paternity leave
2
• Paid compassionate leave in cases of children's sickness
3
• More flexible working hours
4
• Child-minding facilities at the workplace
5
• Government subsidies for childcare costs incurred by working
mothers
6
• Increasing tax concession for dependent children
7
• Programmes to encourage husbands to be more fully involved in
childrearing and household activities
8
• Unmet needs for contraception need to be fully met
National
Social Policy
Other
Populationrelated Policies
National Policy
on Women and
Plan of Action
National Policy
for Older Persons
and Plan of
Action
National Policy
on Reproductive
Health and
Social Education
National Social Policy (2003)
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 Women Policy
The setting/issues
•
•
Women have made
great stride in
education, but still
lagging in
employment and
decision-making.
Increased recognition
of women’s role.
Policy response
•
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.
Impact
•
•
•
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 Policy for Older Persons and Plan of
Action (2011)
The setting/issues
•
•
•
•
•
•
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
Policy response
•
•
•
•
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.
Impact
•
•
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 on Reproductive Health and Social Education
(PEKERTI)
The setting/issues
Policy response
Impact
• Problems of youth • National Reproductive • 2011- Implement of
sexuality and RH
Health and Social
Reproductive Health and
Education Policy in
Social Education (RHSE)
• Drug addiction
2009, aims to empower
in the National Service
• HIV/AIDS
adolescents with
Training Curriculum
• Erosion of
knowledge and positive
(PLKN) PEKERTI@PLKN
parental guidance
attitudes towards social • 2012- PEKERTI@SEKOLAH
• Negative influence
and reproductive
• The Government of
of social media
health.
Malaysia has established
thirteen youth-friendly
adolescent centres known
as kafe@TEEN
Family in Malaysia: Socio-demographic context
Number of Households, Family Size, Family Structure, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010
1980
1991
2000
2010
Number of Households (million)
2.5
3.5
4.8
6.4
Average Family Size (persons)
5.22
4.92
4.62
4.31
Nuclear
55
60
65
70
Extended
28
26
20
18
Single
9
8
7
8
Family Structure (%)
Source: Malaysian Census, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010
Parental
Leave
Family
policy in
Malaysia
Cash
Allowances
Flexible Working
Arrangements
programme
• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
• Divided into meanstested and non-means
tested under Child Act
2001 and Care Centre
Act 1993
• A collaboration
between MWFCD and
TalentCorp
National Family Policy (2010)
• 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; and
 Services and family-friendly facilities are accessible.
National Family Policy (2010): Strategies
1. Research and
development on
family wellbeing
2. Advocacy to
prioritise family
wellbeing
7. Monitoring
and evaluation
6. Conducive
environment for
family
empowerment
3. Training and
lifelong education for
human capital
development and
family wellbeing
STRATEGIES
5. Consultation and strategic
partnerships with various
Governments agencies, private
sector, NGOs, institutions of
higher learning and the
community
4. Provision of
resources
Current Programme for Family
NFP
1Malaysia
Family First
Movement
Family
perspective
commitment
Review policies
and laws to be
more family
friendly
Accessibility
to family
friendly
services
Family Wellbeing Index 2011
Family relations
23
100.0
80.0
Housing &
environment
Family economy
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
Family health
Family & religion
Family &
community
Family Wellbeing Index
Domain score
Family & safety
Moving Ahead:
Recommendations for Family Policy
Work-life balance deserves more attention
Gender-neutral policy: More men should involve in
child-rearing & household responsibilities
On-site public-private partnership child care centre
Preparation to an ageing nation: Harnessing the
second demographic dividend & Inter-generational
Transfer
Need more resource for family policy
25