Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia is facing pressure to adapt to a rapidly ageing population, with authorities calling for urgent action to redesign urban infrastructure and strengthen social protection systems to meet the needs of older citizens.
The country's demographic shift is taking place at an unprecedented pace. Official statistics show that the proportion of Malaysians aged 60 and above has almost doubled over the past 25 years, rising from 6.3% in 2000 to 12% in 2025. By 2050, one in every five Malaysians is expected to be a senior citizen.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Nancy Shukri said Malaysia officially became an ageing nation in 2021 under the United Nations definition. She projected that people aged 65 and above will account for more than 14% of the population by 2048, when the country is expected to become an aged society.
She stressed that the demographic transition requires comprehensive planning that goes beyond health care, including the development of age-friendly housing and stronger community support systems.
One of the key challenges is upgrading existing housing infrastructure.
According to Nancy, many public housing projects built decades ago lack basic accessibility features such as level entrances, reliable lifts and adequate communal spaces, making daily life more difficult for elderly residents. Retrofitting older buildings with facilities such as handrails and adopting universal design principles have become priorities in discussions with housing authorities.
Malaysia is also seeing traditional family-based elderly care come under increasing strain as family structures change and more women join the workforce. In rural areas, many older people continue to face limited access to healthcare services and public transport.
To address these issues, the Malaysian government has introduced the national action plan for older persons 2026–2030, which identifies safe, comfortable and age-friendly living environments as a core priority to help older people remain independent for as long as possible.
Nancy warned that failing to prepare adequately for an ageing society would place growing pressure on the country's healthcare system, social protection framework and the wider economy./.
