KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Economic pressures, job mismatches, and challenges in building a career have been identified as factors driving some young people to delay marriage, according to the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
Its Research, Population, and Family Division director Adzmel Mahmud said that young people, therefore, need continued support from the government, employers, educational institutions, and families to help them realise their aspirations to build a family.
The trend requires attention as rising marriage ages could have long-term implications for Malaysia's population structure.
"Based on data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the average age at marriage in 2024 was 31 for men and 29 for women, marking an increase compared with previous decades.
"This has resulted in a shorter reproductive period and could affect the number of births in the future,” he said during the second season of the 'Kasih Lensa Keluarga' podcast in conjunction with World Population Day 2026.
Adzmel added that many young people still want to get married, but financial constraints and the desire for greater job and income stability have led them to postpone their plans.
Mental, physical, and social well-being also play an important role in helping young people make decisions about their careers, marriage, and family formation.
"Beyond economic pressures, the influence of social media has also shaped some young people's perceptions of the ideal age for marriage, creating unnecessary pressure on them," he said.
Regarding employment opportunities, one of the main challenges young people face is the mismatch between their academic qualifications and labour market demands, making it harder for them to secure the jobs and income they expect.
The situation has forced some young people to take on more than one job, eventually affecting their physical and mental health.
Meanwhile, Adzmel noted that investment in young people must be strengthened to ensure they have access to quality education, decent jobs, good health, and opportunities to contribute to the country's development.
Such efforts are important given that young people aged between 15 and 30 in Malaysia are estimated to number around nine million, accounting for 26 per cent of the country's total population.
"Young people are the nation's future leaders and its next generation of decision-makers. They need access to quality education, good jobs, good health, and the space to make decisions and contribute to society," he said.
To help them prepare for family life, LPPKN offers a range of initiatives, including the Smart Start Pre-Marriage Programme, the Fertility Treatment Assistance Programme, reproductive health education, and family and marriage counselling services.
Ensuring young people can build families at the right stage of their lives requires commitment from all parties through the provision of quality employment opportunities, more flexible work environments, support facilities for working parents, and skills development aligned with industry needs.
World Population Day 2026, observed on July 11, carries the theme "Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People — today and for the future", highlighting the importance of investing in youth development to help them achieve their ambitions, build families, and contribute to national development.
