This week, the findings of the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2025 revealed an alarming reality: Malaysia is undergoing “compressed ageing” at a pace 1.5 times faster than super ageing Japan. By 2036, the country is projected to become an “aged nation,” with more than 4.1 mln people, or 15% of the population, aged 60 and above.

More concerning, however, is the poor state of health among Malaysia’s elderly population. According to the survey, only 14.7% of senior citizens meet the criteria for “healthy ageing.” One in ten elderly Malaysians has been diagnosed with dementia, 45% suffer from sarcopenia, 30% have diabetes, 73% live with hypertension, 76% have high cholesterol, and 68% are managing at least two chronic diseases simultaneously. These figures underscore the growing burden that will place on the national healthcare system.

The implications extend beyond healthcare. In Malaysia, the responsibility of caring for the elderly largely falls on immediate family members. As the elderly population rises rapidly, this will place immense pressure on family support systems, potentially giving rise to serious social challenges, including financial strain and reduced workforce.

Yet, Malaysia is ill prepared for this development. The country’s long-term care system is still underdeveloped and fragmented, lacking the infrastructure and policy coordination needed to support an ageing society effectively. Building a comprehensive eldercare system requires substantial time, investment, and institutional reform. Malaysia must act now.