Population ageing and social protection in Malaysia / Suhaimi Abd. Samad, Halimah Awang, Prof. Datuk Dr. Norma Mansor (original) (raw)
Related papers
Policies and Protections for Ageing Society in Malaysia
Journal of Southeast Asian Research, 2016
The 4th Malaysian Population and Family Study by the National Population and Family Development Board (1), which was matched with the result of the population and housing census in 2010, found that about 23%, or 538,000 of the 2.4 million senior citizens in Malaysia suffered from the 'empty nest' syndrome. A report issued by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) stated that 90% of the contributors towards the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in Malaysia did not even have enough money to live a simple lifestyle for a period of five years after retirement. United Nation projected that the country will achieve the status (ageing country) in year 2030. Malaysia in an upper middle-income country and as of 1 January 2016, the population of Malaysia was estimated to be 31,127,247 people. This is an increase of 1.58 % (482,954 people) compared to 30,644,293 people the year before. In 2015, the natural increase was positive, as the number of births exceeded the number of deaths by 494,905. Due to external migration, the population declined by 11,951. The sex ratio of the total population was 1.029 (1,029 males per 1,000 females), which is higher than the global sex ratio. The global sex ratio in the world was approximately 1,016 males to 1,000 females as of 2015. (2) This paper analyses the Malaysia government's and people social responsibilities in overcoming ageing society and preparing to support and assist the ageing population by 2035. The researcher uses doctrinal research methodology and secondary statistic from the authorities for this research to gather the data and examine the policies. Interestingly, despite the social responsibilities and challenges encountered and policies implemented by the government, there is still much more the government needs to do to overcome the challenges faced by the ageing society in Malaysia.
Strengthening Social Safety Net for Older People in Malaysia
Journal of Southeast Asian Research, 2017
There are a number of social security schemes and institutions in Malaysia but not all has the ability to address the long term financial commitments and provides security during the old age. High inflation rates, global economic growth and changes in employment and social structure have contributed in raising serious concerns about the efficiency of the current social safety net especially when the number of older people has increased due to the increase in life expectancy. An effective social safety net should be able to protect the welfare of a person at their old age and the existing social safety net in Malaysia is not sufficient. Hence, this paper examines the current social safety net in Malaysia for the older people and analyses the efficiency of the protection provided. This paper further discusses the social safety net provided in other jurisdictions specifically in Japan and Singapore. Japan is chosen as one of the countries since Japan is currently having the highest number of elder people in the world and it is worth to look at how Japan is handling the issue currently. Singapore is chosen since it is the neighbouring country and has similar social safety net as in Malaysia. In fact, this paper used the qualitative legal research methodology specifically a comparative and analytical research approach on the social safety net for older people in Malaysia by reference to the social safety nets as practised in Japan. The objective of this paper is whether to recommend an additional measure to be added into the current social safety net in Malaysia to ensure that the welfare of Malaysians at their old age is well protected.
Social Welfare Issues of Older Population in Malaysia
World applied sciences journal, 2014
2 Abstract: In recent years older population is growing globally. The growth of this population is said to be the 21st century phenomenon. Never before in the history of demography has the world contained a high number and proportion of populations living to the age of 65 and over. This article, originated from a qualitative study, discusses the growth of older persons in Malaysia and attempt to explore social welfare issues arise. To explore these issues, this qualitative study was conducted an in-depth interview with three key informants. The interview was recorded. Upon completing the interview, five issues of the welfare of older persons are traced which are the changes of family, youth migration to city, support and care system, health problems and employment and financial security. These issues will be facing by all if one reaching older ages.
2017
Malaysia country now towards an ageing population, in which exposed to the longevity risk. People in Malaysia still lack awareness on preparing for their retirement. The mainstream retirement scheme, Employees Provident Fund in Malaysia has reported inadequate to sustain the elderly after working age. Therefore, the study aims to examine the alternative options available to the public to maximize their retirement incomes. The study found that the existing pension schemes still lack efficiency regarding investment, benefits allocation and do not provide coverage to all level of community members, in particular for those in the informal sector. Thus, the authority needs to revise the retirement system to keep elderly out of poverty line.
UUM Journal of Legal Studies
Globally, social protection schemes are considered as effective tools in ensuring the well-being of the poor, disempowered and otherwise marginalised people of society. It is applicable in cases of elderly people who are comparatively vulnerable due to their old age, and at times poverty or the lack of financial security.The proportion of elderly people in poverty is higher than that in the working age population, indicating the increasing likelihood of people falling into poverty as they leave or retire from the workforce. Therefore, one way of addressing poverty among the elderly is through social protection mechanisms. Malaysia and the Philippines are two Southeast Asian countries on their way to becoming ageing nations. As such, both these countries have already adopted numerous social protection schemes to ensure the well-being of the marginalised segments of society, including the elderly. Thus, based on existing literature, this paper is an attempt to revisit and re-examine t...
An Alternative Social Protection Scheme for Malaysia: The National Social Protection Fund (NSPF
Institutions and Economies, 2019
This paper formulates a comprehensive pension fund framework for enhancing system capacity to manage economic and social risks. The National Social Protection Fund (NSPF) attempts to quantify informal sector, incorporated under a unified national protection scheme. The new protection mechanism consists of two sub funds: The National Integral Social Security Fund (NISSF) and the National Education Fund (NEF). NISSF encompasses all economically active Malaysian population, including the informal workforce, whereas the NSPF captures the economically inactive young population. Simulation findings indicate that education, health and income redistribution can improve the livelihood of the vulnerable population groups in Malaysia.
Aging and Current Trends in Malaysia
This paper is aimed to highlight the current trends, changes and issues affecting the elderly. Malaysia will experience Aging Population in 2030 when the population over 60 years old will be 15%. The Malaysian population is experiencing an increase in life expectancy. Declining Fertility in late marriage, reduction in the family size, more women in the work force and urbanization are among other current changes. However, as the elderly continue to adjust to these changes and trends, there are more challenges which they face silently. Some of the elderly experience Depression which affects their inability to make accurate decisions and slows down their social and physical function. More adult care facilities and support groups needs to be initiated to look into the various problems of the elderly and help them overcome them.
Some Demographic Aspects of Population Aging in Malaysia
World applied sciences journal, 2014
One of the most important demographic events occurred in the 21st century is the increasing number of older persons in community through a demographic event, known as demographic aging, or population aging. There are signs that population of Malaysia is starting to aging. As the percentage of older population continues to increase, the need for extensive and current information on this older population increases. This article attempts to review some emerging issues that form the context of demographic aging in Malaysia. To meet the objective, this article uses secondary data as its main devices. It reviews some published materials and highlights some emerging issues in terms of demographic aspects. Secondary data in this discussion are derived from the report of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia and various books on demographic aging in Malaysia. There are some related issues can be analyzed, include number of older people, median ages, dependency ratio, aging index and geog...
Financial Practices and Problems amongst Elderly in Malaysia
2012
Being old is often associated with poverty, as a result of limited access to financial resources due to retirement or deterioration in health. The high incidence of poverty among the elderly is a global concern. How much the elderly have is important but how they use what they have is equally important. This paper focuses on financial practice and problems of the elderly in Malaysia. Data used in the analysis were collected in 2004 from among 2,327 elderly aged between 55 and 75 years. Samples were selected using multi stage systematic sampling. Financial practice was measured using 12 statements representing four dimensions, namely, planning, cash management, credit and investment. Financial problems were measured using seven items with two dimensions, namely, daily problems and credit management. In general, the elderly in the study performed basic financial practice (planning and cash management) but a lower percentage of these elderly performed credit and investment plans. About...
Old-Age Income Insecurity in Singapore: A Problem of Non-Inclusive Development
Australian Economic Papers, 2014
With a growing old-age population, ensuring income security for the elderly is becoming an increasingly important element of public policy worldwide. The World Bank report proposed a three-tier system to avert old-age crisis, which was extended into a five-tier system by Holzmann et al. Our analysis of Singapore's old-age income security system in light of these two systems shows that it lacks the basic zero and first pillars of protection against old-age hardships. We show that a budget allocation of less than half a percent of national gross domestic product (GDP) can ensure that no elderly citizen suffers from poverty in Singapore. As Singapore occupies the status of a developed country, a government-financed pension system that is adequate, affordable, sustainable and robust is long overdue. I. I n t r o d u c t i o n Over 1.2 billion people worldwide live on less than a dollar a day; an estimated 900 million people will still be living in poverty even if the Millennium Development Goals are reached (CPRC, 2004). Among these, 100 million are elderly, many of whom are caring for grandchildren without any financial support (Helpage International, 2004). Data show that by 2045, there will be more aged people above 60 than children under 15 (Helpage International, 2011) and this pattern will be visible in both developed and developing countries (for a projected motion chart, see http:// www.helpage.org/resources/ageing-data/ageing-in-motion/). In addition, the elderly are more vulnerable to poverty due to economic shocks, natural disasters, political insecurity and pandemics such as HIV/AIDS. The old therefore face a very high risk of being unable to work, earn lower income if they find work and/or depend on family and friends for sustenance. The working rich who foresee the risks can protect themselves through savings, investments, annuity life insurance, children's education, etc. The working poor, on the contrary, may not be able to build such protections. Moreover, it cannot be guaranteed that these protections will work properly, as even the well prepared can fall into unexpected hardship. All old-age people therefore need a pension scheme that can protect them from poverty, a scheme that will not depend on luck. The concept of old-age pension therefore is directly linked to poverty and how governing institutions respond to cushion citizens against the adverse effects of poverty.