The Childfree Trend: Regional Perspectives, Socioeconomic Impacts, and Policy Responses
By Dr Rahida Aini Mohd IsmailProject Researcher | Posted on
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Malaysia’s traditional family systems are shifting as the child-free trend becomes more common among young adults, driven by economic considerations, personal autonomy, and lifestyle choices.
Voluntary childlessness contributes to a declining birth rate, exacerbating the ageing population situation in which demands on healthcare, social security systems, and the economy continuously increase.
In Penang, if voluntary childlessness persists alongside an already rapidly ageing demographic, it will likely intensify reliance on the healthcare system, and exacerbate population decline and labour shortages.
Understanding the childfree phenomenon through socio-cultural and economic lenses can provide valuable insights for the formulation of national family-friendly policies that address demographic shifts and economic resilience.
