KUALA LUMPUR — The rising cost of living is the main reason many young Malaysians are choosing to delay marriage and starting a family, despite having the desire to do so, says Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
Citing a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, Noraini said nearly one in five adults across 14 countries acknowledged they may not be able to have the number of children they desire.
“Among this group, 39% cited financial constraints as the primary barrier — including the cost of living, childcare, housing, and job insecurity. This is where our responsibility lies: to listen, understand, and act,” she said during her speech at the 2025 World Population Day celebration here today.
She said the government had introduced various initiatives to help young couples start families in a more stable and structured environment. These include maternity and paternity leave, childcare subsidies, financial assistance for low-income families, and awareness programmes on reproductive and family health.
Commenting on Malaysia’s declining fertility rate — now at 1.7 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1 — Noraini said the government is rolling out the Fertility Treatment Aid and Infertility Advocacy Programme (BuAI), which targets 30,000 couples by 2025.
“In the first quarter of 2025 alone, only 93,500 births were recorded, marking a drop of more than 11% compared to the same period last year. These figures are not just statistics; they represent a growing urgency for effective policies, support systems, and public awareness,” she said.
Noraini added that education programmes such as PEKERTI, SMARTSTART and Kafe@TEEN are also being carried out on an ongoing basis to promote family and reproductive health.
“These efforts form part of a holistic, inclusive and youth-friendly approach. We want young people to begin their family journeys in a stable environment, supported by sound policies and surrounded by hope — not worry,” she said.
This year’s World Population Day celebration has also been expanded to the state level, with over 5,000 participants involved in activities throughout July and August.
The event saw the launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2025 report, titled The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World.
The report explores global challenges and opportunities related to fertility, reproductive choices, and intergenerational justice.
The launch of the report in Malaysia reflects international recognition of the country’s commitment to addressing population issues through comprehensive, evidence-based policies. — July 21, 2025