Malaysia On Track To Become An Aged Nation By 2048

Samuel Chua

27th August 2025 - 3 min read

Malaysia is projected to reach aged nation status by 2048, when 14% of the population will be aged 65 and above. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, who is currently carrying out the duties of Economy Minister, highlighted this projection based on the latest data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) as of July 2025.

Malaysia officially entered the ageing nation category in 2021, when citizens aged 65 and above made up 7% of the total population. This shift is driven by two key factors: longer life expectancy and lower fertility rates.

Rising Elderly Population, Declining Young Population

Amir Hamzah explained in Dewan Rakyat that the proportion of younger citizens aged between 0 and 14 is expected to continue shrinking, while the elderly population will steadily rise.

According to DOSM projections, Malaysia’s population is expected to grow from 34.2 million in 2025, to 36.4 million in 2030, and 38.3 million by 2035.

However, the fertility rate is set to fall further. Estimates show a decline from 1.67 children per woman (aged 15 to 49) in 2025, to 1.66 in 2030, and 1.6 in 2035. Malaysia’s fertility rate has been below the replacement level of 2.1 since 2013.

Marriage and Fertility Patterns

Marriage rates in Malaysia are also on the decline. The crude marriage rate dropped from 6.6 marriages per 1,000 people in 2022 to 5.7 in 2023.

This trend shortens the reproductive period for many couples and contributes further to the decline in birth rates. Amir Hamzah noted that reversing this shift would require comprehensive and coordinated action involving multiple ministries and stakeholders.

Government’s Long-Term Response

To prepare for an ageing population, the government has introduced the National Ageing Blueprint (NAB) 2025–2045, launched earlier this year. The NAB sets out policies and action plans across key areas such as employment, healthcare, education, social protection, and long-term care.

These policies are being translated into strategies under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). The government’s focus includes expanding access to long-term care services, ensuring that the labour market is supported by stronger skills development, enhancing fiscal and social protection measures, and improving the adequacy of retirement savings.

Preparing for the Future

Amir Hamzah stressed that addressing the challenges of an ageing society requires forward planning. While measures are being developed under the NAB and the RMK13, demographic shifts such as declining fertility and marriage rates will demand sustained and collaborative solutions.

Engagements with ministries and stakeholders are ongoing, including discussions for future national budgets, to ensure Malaysia is prepared for the transition to an aged nation by 2048.

0 0 votes

Article Rating