A 2025 survey by the National Population and Family Development Board of 3,625 people aged 18 and above found that 90.9% of single respondents intended to marry and 91.1% hoped to have children, its chairman, Rohani Abdul Karim, said during a World Population Day 2026 event on July 14.
The findings suggest that young people have not abandoned their aspirations of marriage and parenthood but need stronger economic and social support before they feel ready to start a family, The Straits Times reported.
Many young Malaysians are postponing marriage and parenthood as rising living costs make starting a family more difficult. Illustration photo from Pexels |
Karim said the challenges facing young adults reflect broader global demographic shifts, including declining birth rates, aging populations, and changing household structures.
“Young people are taking longer to secure stable employment, housing, and financial independence.
“Unlocking the full potential of younger generations requires massive investment in inclusive quality education and training.”
Rohani said young people were also concerned about the rising cost of marriage, the expense of raising children and the need for childcare when both parents are employed.
“They told us that even getting married has become expensive. The cost of wedding ceremonies, preparations, and everything else can be overwhelming,” Karim said
The survey also found that 17.6% of married respondents had fewer children than they wanted because of financial constraints, rising living costs, demanding work schedules, fertility issues, and health concerns.
Meanwhile, 33.8% said they hoped to have a child or expand their family, with respondents reporting an average desired family size of 2.8 children.
Karim explained that the findings were consistent with the United Nations Population Fund’s 2026 Demographic Futures Survey, which found that although most young people around the world still want to marry and become parents, economic pressures are delaying those goals.
The global survey, which covered more than 100,000 adults aged 18 to 39 in 73 countries, found that more than two-thirds hoped to marry or live with a partner, while about 90% wanted at least one child.
“These findings reinforce UNPA’s call for countries to invest in young people’s aspirations by removing the barriers that prevent them from building the lives and families they desire.
“This requires quality education and training, decent work, secure employment, affordable housing, accessible reproductive and fertility health services, stronger social protection, affordable childcare, parental leave and flexible working arrangements,” she added.
She noted that Malaysia is addressing these issues through its National Family Love Policy and the National Family Action Plan for 2026-30. The two initiatives aim to strengthen support for marriage, family planning, parenting, and families at every stage of life, according to The Sun Malaysia.
“The government will continue to strengthen a family-friendly ecosystem to ensure young people have better opportunities and support to marry, build families, and have children in line with their aspirations and the country’s development needs.
“Our young generation still appreciates the importance of getting married and starting a family, but they need an enabling environment to realise their aspirations.
“As such, the government’s responsibility is not to determine their family choices, but to ensure that every decision is made with adequate information, free from pressure, and supported by fairer economic and social opportunities.”
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