1. 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

2. Outline 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

3. Can We Achieve 70 Million?
6.3 million
1957:
1970: 10.4 million
1991: 18.4 million
2000: 23.3 million
2010: 28.3 million
According to the latest UN population projection, Malaysia population will be peak around 44.2 million in 2070 (United Nations, World Population Prospect, 2012)
70 million target would not be achieved
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

4. Percent Distribution of Population and Dependency Ratio
The Share of Working-Age Population has Soared from 50% in 1970 to 65% in 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
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

5. We are at the “Replacement Fertility Level” !
Total fertility rate, Malaysia, 1963 – 2012
4.9
3.9
3.4
3.0
According to the United Nations fertility projections, taken the medium fertility assumption, Malaysia TFR’s will drop to 1.91 in 2020
TFR will further drop to the lowest 1.76 in the period of
After the year 2055, the TFR will increase slightly to 1.84 in the period of
Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia, Various Vital Statistics,

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

7. Malaysia Will Becoming An Ageing Nation in 2035
Percentage of population aged 60 years or older, Malaysia, 1990 to 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,

8. Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia
Began from the period of the 1st Malaysian Plan ( )
Led to the passage of the National Family Planning Act No. 42, 1966
National Family Planning Programme launched

9. 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.
Mid-term review of the
4th Malaysian Plan
(1981 – 1985)

10. Evolution of Population Policy in Malaysia
Reassessment of the policy (Population Strategic Plan Study 1992)
Total fertility rate was dropping faster than expected
The quantitative target of 70 million population by the year 2100 will, therefore, not be achieved
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
Quality of the population is a more concern matter rather than quantity
Sustain population growth that is in balance with resources and development

11. 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

12. Other Population-related Policies
National Social Policy
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
Other Population-related Policies

13. 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:
To ensure that the basic necessities of the individual, family and community are provided for;
To develop and empower humans for life;
To consolidate and develop the social support system and services; and
To generate multi-sector synergy.
NSP being reviewed, to be replaced with a New Social Model.

14. National Women Policy 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.

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

16. National Policy on Reproductive Health and Social Education
(PEKERTI)
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)
2012-
The Government of Malaysia has established thirteen youth-friendly adolescent centres known as

17. 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
Family Structure (%)
Nuclear
Extended
Single 55 28 9 60 26 8 65 20 7 70 18
Source: Malaysian Census, 1980, 1991, 2000, 2010

18. CHALLENGES
Structure, roles and responsibilities of Malaysian families will continue to change
Work and family life will become highly interdependent
More parents will face “time-bind”
More Malaysians remaining single, delaying marriage and having fewer children
Youth may adopt increasingly liberal views towards sexual intimacy, marriage, commitment and childbearing
More women will enter the labour
Family mobility will increase

19. Flexible Working Arrangements programme
Parental Leave
Cash Allowances
Flexible Working Arrangements programme
Maternity leave
Paternity leave
Family policy in Malaysia
Divided into means-tested and non-means tested under Child Act 2001 and Care Centre Act 1993
Parental Leaves are divided into two schemes:
Maternity leave, addressed in 1955 Employment Act, can last for 60 consecutive days of leaves at full pay. Maternity leaves have increased from 60 days to 90 days since the beginning of 2011for civil servants. Some banks, state government employees and multinational companies begin to follow the 90 days of leaves.
Policy of 5 years unpaid leave for childcare without losing out on seniority and service.
Paternity leave for civil servants increased from 3 days to 7 days beginning 2003.
Cash Allowances are divided into means-tested and non-means tested under Child Act 2001 and Care Centre Act 1993.
A RM180 subsidy is given for each child sent to childcare centres for civil servants with a household income of less than RM5,000
A RM250 subsidy is given for parents with household income of not more than RM900 who sent their children to private childcare centres registered under the Social Welfare Department
Grant for opening up nursery and childcare centres. Government agencies that provide child care centres at their work place will be given a RM200,000 grant to renovate and furnish their facilities. The government agency does not operate the centre themselves. It is usually out-sourced to an association or individual who has to submit a working paper to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development with a recommendation from that relevant government agency.
- Employers from the private sector who set up child care centres are given a 10% tax reduction per annum on the setting up cost for a period of 10 years. This is only for child care centres that are set up at the work place.
- Tax relief of RM1,000 per child under the Income Tax Act 1967.
Flexible Working Arrangements programme also known as FlexWorkLife.my, a collaboration between the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and TalentCorp was created to provide a solution that women are faced with challenges of having to juggle personal commitments and work responsibilities. It aims to build a network of employers and talent to optimise work-life integration, while maximising work efficiency and enhancing employee enhancement.
A collaboration between MWFCD and TalentCorp

20. 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.

21. 1. Research and development on family wellbeing
National Family Policy (2010): Strategies
STRATEGIES
1. Research and development on family wellbeing
2. Advocacy to prioritise family wellbeing
3. Training and lifelong education for human capital development and family wellbeing
4. Provision of resources
5. Consultation and strategic partnerships with various Governments agencies, private sector, NGOs, institutions of higher learning and the community
6. Conducive environment for family empowerment
7. Monitoring and evaluation

22. 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

23. Family Wellbeing Index 2011
RAHSIA
Family Wellbeing Index 2011
Family relations
7.82
Family economy
6.90
Housing & environment
7.28
Family Wellbeing Index 2011
7.55
Family health
7.38
Family & religion
8.25
Family & community
7.83
Family & safety
7.39
RAHSIA

24. Recommendations for Family Policy
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. Thank You / LPPKN_Malaysia 03-2693 7555 03-2693 7250 www.lppkn.gov.my