The total fertility rate (TFR) of Malaysians has seen a notable decline, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
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00:00So, Honourable Speaker, Honourable Tumpat and Honourable Thampin have touched on the issue of child-free,
00:05because they are concerned that it may have a negative impact on the country for a long time.
00:11At present, the issue of the decline in fertility rate has become a global issue,
00:16especially among developed and developing countries.
00:19So, in this regard, there are many countries in Asia and the Pacific,
00:28such as Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand,
00:34have noted a very low fertility rate, which is below the replacement rate.
00:40Even Indonesia, which has a population density of 275 million,
00:45also now only notes a fertility rate close to the replacement rate.
00:50In this regard, Honourable Speaker, the decline in the number of births in Malaysia
00:54has indeed recorded a decline since 2012.
00:59The number of births is also closely related to the fertility rate, or total fertility rate,
01:06or TFR, which shows an increasing decline.
01:10Based on the report published in the important fertility report of 2023 by the Malaysian Fertility Agency, DOSM,
01:19TFR in Malaysia shows a decline from 2.1 children in 2010 to 1.6 children in 2022.
01:30There are various factors contributing to the decline of TFR.
01:35These include economic factors, lifestyle, which can affect the decision of age,
01:44and for marriage, the number of children, and so on.
01:47At the same time, the problem of infertility can also affect the TFR rate.
01:53To respond to this infertility problem, KPWKN through the LPPKN agency,
01:59our national family development and residence agency,
02:02has implemented various initiatives,
02:04including first, offering fertility care services or sub-fertility since 1979 at reasonable costs.
02:13Second, men's welfare clinics that offer men's health screening tests,
02:20advice on sexual problems and lifestyle practices,
02:24as well as medical treatment to help increase men's fertility
02:29to address infertility problems in increasing male population.
02:34Third, is to provide initiatives to couples in obtaining fertility treatment
02:40with tax exemption for fertility treatment up to RM8,000 and many more.
02:46And now, KPWKN through the LPPKN has been given the mandate to establish a national sub-fertility center
02:54which is equipped with all facilities of fertility treatment under one roof
02:59to provide modern fertility services at reasonable costs.
03:04This national sub-fertility center will be built in Selangor,
03:09and will be the center of fertility services in Malaysia.
03:13For KPWKN, we view the decision to have children and the determination of the number of children
03:19is the right of the couple.
03:21As I mentioned earlier, there are various factors that affect the decision to have children,
03:27the number of children and the TFR rate.
03:29KPWKN through the LPPKN helps in making interventions
03:33to help those who face infertility problems.
03:38In addition, LPPKN also provides services that can provide an environment
03:43that helps couples to make decisions,
03:45such as family planning services and family development programs
03:50through the Smart Start module,
03:52a marriage program that can provide skills and knowledge
03:56to couples who want to start a family.
04:08For more information, visit www.kpwkn.org