Malaysia’s birth rate has plummeted to its lowest level ever recorded, signaling a deepening demographic crisis. The Statistics Department (DOSM) has confirmed that live births in the first quarter of 2025 fell 11.5 percent compared to the same period last year. The total number of newborns dropped to 93,500, down from 105,613 in early 2024.
The decline is part of a broader trend that has been unfolding for years. Fertility rates have been steadily falling, with fewer women choosing to have children. Economic pressures, shifting social norms, and concerns over financial stability are driving couples to delay or forgo parenthood altogether.
The numbers paint a stark picture. Male babies outnumbered female newborns, with 48,124 boys born compared to 45,376 girls. The sex ratio stood at 106 males for every 100 females. Selangor recorded the highest number of births at 18,254, while Labuan had the lowest at 278.
The majority of mothers who gave birth in the first quarter were between 30 and 39 years old, accounting for 53.3 percent of all births. Women aged 20 to 29 made up 39.3 percent, while those 40 and older represented 6 percent. Only 1.4 percent of births came from mothers under 20 years old, and three babies were born to mothers aged 55 and above.
Ethnic breakdowns reveal further shifts. Malays accounted for 68.8 percent of all live births, while births among Chinese and Indian communities continued to decline. The Chinese birth rate fell to 8.6 percent, down from 9.6 percent last year, while Indian births dropped to 3.8 percent, compared to 4.2 percent in early 2024.
The falling birth rate raises serious concerns about Malaysia’s future workforce and economic stability. A shrinking population means fewer young workers to support an aging society, putting pressure on pension systems and healthcare infrastructure. Policymakers will need to address the root causes of declining fertility, or the country could face long-term consequences.
Sources:
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/05/14/interactive-malaysia-records-fewest-births-ever https://open.dosm.gov.my/dashboard/population https://open.dosm.gov.my/publications?page=1&search=population