Kuala lumpur: Family-related policies must be anchored in an ecosystem that supports the needs of the younger generation, rather than merely urging them to marry and start families, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nancy emphasized the importance of considering the voices of youth, as many wish to marry and have families but face challenges such as the cost of living, unstable employment, limited access to childcare, and concerns about the future. She asserted that the solution lies in creating a supportive ecosystem rather than simply encouraging young people to start families immediately. This statement was made in conjunction with World Population Day 2025.
Nancy highlighted that population issues must be viewed as a present-day crisis requiring inclusive and progressive policy action, in line with demographic shifts and the expectations of the younger generation. Malaysia's current total fertility rate stands at 1.7 children, which is below the replacement level of 2.1, and birth rates have dropped by more than 11 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
This year's World Population Day, themed 'Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World,' emphasizes the importance of listening to and addressing the needs of the younger generation. The ministry, through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), remains committed to raising public awareness on population-related issues, including reproductive health rights, demographic shifts, family wellbeing, and sustainable development.
To achieve these goals, the ministry is focusing on implementing comprehensive strategies to support family planning among youth. These strategies include subsidies under the Infertility Treatment Assistance and Advocacy (BuAI) programme for 1,300 eligible couples, improved childcare facilities, and more flexible parental leave.
The national-level celebration for World Population Day 2025 will be highlighted by an event on July 21 at Lanai Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia, in collaboration with the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, and the United Nations Population Fund. Additionally, state-level celebrations will occur throughout July and August, featuring seminars on population and family-related topics organized by LPPKN state offices in collaboration with strategic partners nationwide.
Further information on World Population Day 2025 can be found on LPPKN's official website, www.lppkn.gov.my, and the Population and Family Research Hub at https://mprh.lppkn.gov.my.