KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysian government’s white paper on preparing for an aged nation has yet to receive Cabinet approval, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir confirmed on Tuesday. The document, which is intended to be presented alongside the National Ageing Blueprint 2045 (NAB 2045), is scheduled for tabling in Parliament during the current session, the final sitting of the year.
Responding to a parliamentary query from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Akmal Nasrullah said that the government aims to table both the white paper and the blueprint in the Dewan Rakyat once Cabinet approval has been secured. The minister noted that the government had earlier committed to presenting the white paper within 2026.
According to the minister, Malaysia officially became an ageing nation in 2021, marked by the proportion of residents aged 65 and above reaching 7% of the total population. This demographic is projected to increase to 14% by 2048 and reach 20% around 2060 — thresholds that classify aged and super-aged societies respectively.
The transition from an ageing to aged nation in Malaysia is expected to span approximately 27 years. Akmal Nasrullah highlighted that this pace is substantially faster compared to previous nations: France’s transition took 115 years, Australia’s 73 years, and the United States 69 years.
He also pointed out that Malaysia is ageing at a lower income level than these developed countries were at comparable stages, which narrows the window available to implement measures to address the challenges posed by demographic shifts.
Key concerns outlined by the minister include slower growth in the labour force, inadequate retirement savings, and rising demand for healthcare and long-term care services. Addressing these issues calls for sustaining productivity and ensuring that public finances remain viable.
The National Ageing Blueprint 2045 is designed to tackle the multifaceted implications of an ageing population through comprehensive strategies relating to economic development, employment, education and skills development, social protection, financial security, health, and long-term care.
In addition, Akmal Nasrullah emphasised the government's recognition of the silver economy as a potential growth area. This sector includes economic activities, products, services, and policies targeting individuals aged 50 and above. He noted the complexity involved in measuring the silver economy's contribution to gross domestic product, given its cross-sectoral nature and the need for consistent definitions and methodologies.