MALAYSIA’S average household size has fallen to 3.8 people, down from 4.0 in 2014, as family structures and marriage patterns continue to change, according to the Sixth Malaysian Population and Family Survey (KPKM-6).
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the survey also found that Malaysians were getting married later, with the average age at first marriage rising to 27.1 years for men and 24 years for women.
Despite this, the desire to marry remains strong among unmarried Malaysians, with more than eight in 10 saying they hoped to get married.
The main obstacles were the absence of a suitable partner, cited by 50.6% of respondents, and financial constraints (47.2%).
Speaking at the 2026 National Population Conference (PERKKS26), Nancy said the findings also highlighted gaps in reproductive health awareness among teenagers and the financial dependence of older people on their families.
The survey found that 63.9% of teenagers had low levels of reproductive health knowledge, while 24.7% reported at least three symptoms associated with mental health problems.
Among senior citizens, 45.9% received financial support from their children, highlighting the continued reliance on family support in old age.
Nancy said the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) carried out interventions every five years between surveys to help shape programmes and policies around changing population needs.
She said the board also worked with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia, which provided technical input and recommendations to improve the country’s response to demographic and family-related challenges.
“Not everything can be implemented yet, but efforts are underway. This is why our cooperation is not limited to within the country. We work with UNFPA Malaysia, which helps and provides input so we can improve what is happening here,” she said.
Nancy said the ministry would present a Cabinet paper outlining the measures taken following the survey.
She said the paper would update ministers on the ministry’s actions, with further decisions informed by the study’s findings.
On domestic abuse, Nancy said economic pressures, poor emotional control and family background were among the factors contributing to abuse within households.
The ministry, through agencies including the Women’s Development Department and the National Welfare Foundation, was providing intervention programmes and shelters for victims, she said.
Counselling was also available to perpetrators willing to seek help and address their behaviour, she added. – November 4, 2026
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