Malaysia's Total Fertility Rate Hits 50-Year Low in 2022

Malaysia's total fertility rate for 2022 has plummeted to a 50-year low, registering at 1.6 children per woman aged 15 to 49, compared to the 1.7 recorded in 2021, as reported by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin highlighted the significance of this decline, marking a substantial departure from the 4.9 children per woman recorded in 1970.

Uzir Mahidin stated, "From 1970 to 2012, the national total fertility rate remained above the replacement level of 2.1 children. However, since 2013, it has dipped below this threshold, indicating a potential demographic crisis with consequences such as population decline, an ageing populace, and socio-economic implications."

The report also unveiled a consistent decline in the total fertility rate across all major ethnic groups in Malaysia from 2011 to 2022. Malays reported the highest Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at 2.1 children per woman, while the Chinese recorded the lowest at 0.8 children. Only Terengganu (2.9 children), Kelantan (2.7 children), and Pahang (2.1 children) had a TFR above the replacement level at the state level.

Uzir Mahidin pointed out that this trend is not unique to Malaysia, citing similar observations in developed countries like the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, and Singapore, are also experiencing declining fertility rates below the replacement level.

"In contrast," Uzir continued, "the Philippines, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar have total fertility rates above the replacement level. France and the United Kingdom have proactively addressed declining fertility rates by strategically increasing migration to bolster their population and labour force."

In 2022, the number of live births totaled 423,124, marking a 3.8% decrease compared to 2021. The report highlighted that more male newborns were recorded than females, contributing to a decrease in the crude birth rate from 13.5 births per thousand population in 2021 to 12.9 in 2022. Sabah, however, saw an increase in the crude birth rate from 12.2 in 2021 to 12.8 in 2022.

At the district level, Song, Sarawak, and Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, recorded the highest crude birth rate (CBR) in 2022 at 24.3 births per thousand population, while Kinabatangan, Sabah, had the lowest rate at 4.6 births.

Regarding mortality, the report indicated an 8.0% decrease (18,044 deaths) in 2022 compared to 2021, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The crude death rate also decreased from 6.9 in 2021 to 6.3 deaths per thousand population in 2022. Male deaths accounted for 57% of the total deaths, while female deaths constituted 43%. The age group 0 to 14 years saw an increase in deaths, whereas the 41 to 59-year age group recorded the highest decrease of 20.4%.