elderly in Malaysia

e n t r y  2 | 170913

demographic trends, processes & transformation

Statistic Of Elderly In Malaysia

According to Department of Statistic the number of senior citizens has increased from 0.8 million in 1980 to 1.0 million in 1991 and 1.5 million in 2000. In year 2008 the number of senior citizens is 1.9 million (Table 1). The increasing number of senior citizens in Malaysia has influence the government and private sector to create centers called nursing homes which focus on taking care of the senior citizens.

Table 2.1: Population: Summary Statistic

Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

The increasing number of old people in Malaysia is due to the improvising of health level, longer life expectancy, and low mortality rate as well as declining fertility. However the overall population of elderly in Malaysia is still young compared to those develop countries. (Mohamad Sofee Razak, 2008).

According to statistic from the National Population and Family Development Board, the percentage of younger people has decreased from 19 percent in year 2000 to 18.5 percent in 2007 and expected to further decrease to 16.9 percent in year 2020. It is expected that in year 2025, one third of population in Malaysia will be young people age 14 years and below. Decreasing percentage of young people will increase number of senior citizen in 20 years later. (Mohamad Sofee Razak, 2008). Table 2 and 3 shows the population of people in Malaysia according to age and sex.

 Table 2.2: Population by Age Group and Sex

Note:* refers to midyear population

Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

Table 2.3: Population by Age Group and Sex (Summary)

Note:* refers to midyear population

Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

The increasing number of senior citizen has created issues about their rights, participation, independence care and protection and self fulfillment towards their life. According to  Dato’ Hajah Shamsiah, ‘older people should be able to live in dignity and security , free from exploitation and all forms of abuse, treated fairly regardless of age, gender, ethnic background or other status and be valued independently of their economic contribution’.