Impact of Migration on Population Aging in Malaysia: Evidence from South-East Asian Community Observatory (SEACO)

Nowrozy K. Jahan, Monash University
Ireneous Soyiri, Monash University
Arunachalam Dharmalingam, Monash University
Pascale Allotey , Monash University
Daniel Reidpath, Monash University

Socio-economic development promotes both internal and international migration in Malaysia. It triggers demographic transition resulting in population aging. The paper used the national and district levels census data on population classified by age and sex to investigate the study objective. It found that compared to the national level, the proportion of working age group is lower at the district level due to internal migration. The gap was to some extent filled up by international migrants. The proportion of elderly aged 65 years and above is almost double at the district level resulting in high old-age dependency. The district level population pyramid has taken the hour-glass shaped due to “bite’ out of working group and higher proportion of rapidly growing elderly. The study found that migration, both internal and international, has substantial impact on aging population, especially at district level and it imposes profound challenges on governments' socio-economic and population policies.