Malaysia Population Policy Towards 70 Million Population

Background

Population goal of 70 million has been recommended by the Honorable Prime Minister Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad during his speech at the UMNO General Assembly in September 1982. He said that Malaysia will be more successful with a population of 70 million.

This recommendation was subsequently described and presented once again by his speech in the current study presents the Fourth Malaysia Plan Mid-Term on the 29th. March 1984. Population expected to reach this goal within 115 to 120 years.

Rationale

Total population of Malaysia is still small and have large benefits if the population grew up in Malaysia in the planning period. Compared with other countries, Malaysia and the region of 334.000 sq km area has a population of 45 million, with the Thai State 514.000 sq km area has a population of 50 million and the Republic of Indonesia by land area of 2,027,087 sq km has 150 million.

The rationale for achieving the goal of 70 million population is to provide a basis for product demand and market industrial local industry. This will create conditions of competition in the market and will further increase capacity and quality of production for export. Growth is considered as the main capital for economic and social progress of a country, besides that it also can increase economic productivity. Therefore, it is appropriate demographic is taken into account in development planning to ensure economic progress and sustainable growth of welfare.

Malaysia experienced current population growth rate of 2.5% * for the period 1981-1985. Based on this rate, the population is estimated to be 15,279 million in 1984, ie an increase of 11.2% of the total 13,745 million in 1980. Growth rate for period-specific period are as follows: --

Period Growth Rates
1957 - 1960 2.8%
1960 - 1870 2.6%
1970 - 1980 2.3%
1980 - 1985 2.5%

Comparison between the duration of the above shows that the growth rate is now slightly higher than the growth rate for 1970-1980. This is due to higher fertility rates in five years and six tens and tens of increasing the number of young women who reach the age of marriage. However, based on current population growth trends, population is expected that Malaysia will achieve total stability in range 39 million people in 2150.

According to World Development Report (World Development Report) published by the World Bank in July 1983, Malaysia's population will be 33 million expected in 2120. Projections-projections are made based on the population growth rate of 2.0% per year (1980-2000) on the assumption that fertility rates decreased moderately. This report shows the population of Malaysia will be further increased to 17 million in 1990 and reached number 21 million in 2000. World Bank projection-projection is not parallel with the goal of 70 million people are now expected to be achieved in the year 2100. This means that two major components of population and fertility rates, ie the gross birth rate should be increased accordingly.

It should be explained that the study population requires knowledge of the direction of development of the past and present. Ruling depends large projection to the deep understanding of the facts on the dynamics of population as a whole, especially regarding patterns fertility, mortality and family.
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* Economic Report 1984/85 Ministry of Finance Malaysia