Fatimah: Sarawak’s fertility rate on downward spiral since 1970, will have adverse societal implications

KUCHING (July 15): Sarawak’s fertility rate has seen a significant decline mirroring the national trend, dropping from 4.9 in 1970 to 1.6 in 2023, said Women, Childhood and Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

Quoting the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), she said women today on average have one to two children as compared to four to five in 1970.

“A low fertility rate can lead to low birth rate, which in turn can slow population growth. Any total fertility rate below 2.0 means the population will not increase.

“The growth pyramid will invert, resulting in a small younger generation as compared to the older generation,” she told The Borneo Post.

Fatimah was responding to a recent Bernama report highlighting that Malaysia’s sharp decline in fertility rate is linked to couples marrying at an older age.

In warning of the social implications of this trend, she said as the working-age population shrinks, there will be fewer people to support the elderly.

“This can lead to social catastrophes, as seen in some ageing countries where many elderly people die alone, even some that go unnoticed for days.”

Fatiman said in Sarawak, Song District recorded the highest birth rate at 24.3 per 1,000 people, followed by Kapit (19), Matu (18.8), and Kanowit (18).

Conversely, Beluru registered the lowest birth rate at 6.9 per 1,000 people, followed by Telang Usan (8.7), and Sebauh (9.3).

Moreover, she pointed out that Malaysia is on track to become an aged nation by 2030 with Sarawak expected to age faster than other states, as some districts such as Lubok Antu have already reached this status.

“The birth rate in Sarawak is now 12.5 per 1,000 people, slightly lower than the national rate of 12.9 per 1,000,” she said.

According to DoSM, the average age of marriage has risen from 24.7 years in 1990 to 28.9 in 2022, shifting the fertility levels as women are choosing to marry later to pursue education or career opportunities.

“If the fertility rate continues on a downtrend, the size of a Malaysian family will shrink in the future. This will result in a reduction of the Malaysian population,” said DoSM in the Bernama report.

Nevertheless, the department acknowledged the decline is in line with global trends.

The DoSM also said with regard to the life expectancy, a baby born in 2023 on average is expected to live up to 74.8 years – 72.5 years for males and 77.4 years for females) compared to 61.6 years and 65.6 years respectively in 1970.