A COMBINATION of economic pressures, health concerns, and career aspirations has led modern couples in Sabah to opt for smaller families, a significant shift compared to the larger families of four decades ago.
Recent statistics reveal that Sabah has experienced the fastest decline in total fertility rate (TFR) in the country, with many couples in their mid-40s, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, citing these factors as the primary reasons for choosing to have fewer children.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Sabah recorded the third-lowest fertility rate in the country, with an average of 1.4 children per family in 2020. He added that Sabah has seen the most rapid decline in fertility, dropping from 5.5 children per family in 1980 to just 1.4 children today. – September 5, 2024.
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