KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are getting married at an older age and living in smaller households, while financial constraints and difficulty finding a suitable partner remain key reasons for staying unmarried, according to the latest national population and family survey.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said 50.6% of unmarried individuals surveyed cited the absence of a suitable partner as a reason for remaining single, while 47.2% pointed to financial considerations.
However, the intention to marry remains high, with more than eight in 10 unmarried respondents expressing a desire to get married, she said at the launch of the Sixth Malaysian Population and Family Survey (KPKM-6) report here today.
The survey, conducted every 10 years by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), provides data to support the formulation of family-related policies.
Nancy said the average household size declined from four people in 2014 to 3.8 in 2024. Over the same period, the average age at first marriage increased to 27.1 years for men and 24 years for women.
The findings also point to the need for stronger family support systems as married couples balance employment with caregiving responsibilities.
Grandparents remain an important source of childcare, looking after 25.3% of children aged six and below, while another 17.5% are placed in childcare centres, she said.
The cost of getting married has also increased, with average minimum wedding expenditure rising to RM27,332 from RM20,047 a decade ago.
Nancy said she hoped a two-day forum held alongside the report's release would provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss practical policies and programmes to address the challenges highlighted by the survey.
She said the quality of Malaysia's population and the well-being of families would have implications for the country's future.