By 2040, Malaysia will be an aging nation—are we prepared?

SHAH ALAM - The phenomenon of more than 40,000 elderly people in Japan passing away alone in 2024 without their next of kin knowing has raised concerns that a similar situation could occur in Malaysia.

This concern stems from the growing trend of citizens aged 30 and above who have never been married and live alone, a group that now numbers nearly two million.

Reports of solitary deaths have been increasing. Even in Perlis, a state with a population of fewer than 300,000, 80 such cases were recorded between 2022 and August 2024.

The situation is becoming more critical as Malaysia is expected to become an aging nation by 2040, with 14 per cent of the population aged 65 and above.

Pointing to this phenomenon, Persatuan Sains Sosial Malaysia (PSSM) special advisor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Embong, stated that data from the United Nations (UN) in 2021 ranked Malaysia as the third-highest country in Asean with unmarried individuals, at 44.7 per cent.

“This is a high percentage, although not all of them necessarily live alone. However, the trend of solitary living is a reality,” he told Sinar.

According to him, Malaysia faces the dual challenge of an aging population and reaching aging nation status before becoming a developed country.

He clarified that this differs from Europe and Japan, where economic advancement and wealth preceded the rise in elderly citizens.

“Malaysia needs a comprehensive and effective support system to cater to the needs of its aging population.

“Readiness is not just about material aspects such as finances, infrastructure, expertise and technology but also education, culture, lifestyle, attitudes, values, wisdom and resilience,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to consider roles for elderly individuals who are still healthy, active, and willing to contribute.

“Some are engaged in certain sectors, both in government and private sectors, but this is done selectively and on an ad hoc basis.

“What is needed is thorough planning to establish a systematic approach that utilises the experience, knowledge and wisdom of senior citizens,” he said.

Malaysia currently has 3.9 million people aged 60 and above, making up 11.6 per cent of the population, according to the 2020 Population and Housing Census.

Rahman stressed that efforts to eradicate poverty, control the cost of living and ensure sufficient savings are now more urgent than ever.

“The continuous aging process will turn Malaysia into an aging nation when those aged 65 and above exceed 14 per cent of the population. In 15 years (by 2040), this percentage will reach 14.5 per cent,” he explained.

The UN recently declared Japan the country with the oldest population in the world.

Japan’s National Police Agency reported that nearly 40,000 people died alone at home in the first half of 2024.

Among them, 3,939 bodies were found more than a month after death, and 130 were undiscovered for a year.

Seventy per cent of the deceased were aged 65 and above.