Page 137 - Contributed Paper Session (CPS) - Volume 4

CPS2157 Ezatul Nisha Abdul Rahman et al.

Malaysia’s silver tsunami: Preparing for the
impacts of population ageing
Ezatul Nisha Abdul Rahman, Noor Faadlilah Ismail, Wan Hazlin Ezrina Wan
Hamat, Filisa Mama, Addri Rahman
Population and Demographics Statistics Division, Department of Statistics Malaysia

Abstract
Malaysia is facing a Silver Tsunami in which is the population is ageing.
Population ageing can be defined as the demographic transition due to
decreasing birth rate and death rate as the country moves away from the pre-
industrial/agricultural-based economy to an industrial economic system. This
phenomenon is caused by lower birth rate and decreasing total fertility rate as
well as increasing life expectancy. This paper involves the existing statistical
data obtained from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), UN (United
Nations) and other related agencies. Based on Malaysia Population Projection,
Malaysia will become an ageing state in 2030, of which 15.3% of the
population is 60 years and above. As a result, changes would occur in the social
structure and increasing need for long-term healthcare. The paper ends with
a short summary and a reflection on the need for further study.

Keywords
Demographic transition, Population pyramid, ageing, life expectancy, fertility

1. Introduction
As a developing nation, Malaysia moving away from an agricultural based
economy to an industrial economic system and transiting into an ageing
population faster than expected (Samad & Mansor, 2017). The global
population aged for those above 60 years old was estimated to 962 million
which is more than twice bigger as in 1980 with 382 million older persons
worldwide. In addition, by 2050, the global population is projected to be
doubled again to reach nearly 2.1 billion, comprising 13 per cent (13%). The
global trends of the number of older persons aged above 80 years old are
projected to increase more than threefold between 2017 and 2050 in which
rising from 137 million to 425 million (United Nations, 2017).
Develop nation such as the USA, Japan, Australia and Singapore also will
be experiencing such phenomenon and early preparation had been
undertaken to cater the phenomenon (Anderson & Hussey 2000). A country
such as Australia now starting to recognised foreign talent and encourage
them to migrate under the skills shortage programme (Department of Home
Affairs, Australia, 2019).

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