By Nura Valentiana Lorna & Neville Timothy Sanders
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded a higher percentage of elderly population (above the age of 65) at 7.5 per cent compared to 6.8 per cent registered by the whole country.
According to statistics from the Malaysia Census 2020, as many as 30 administrative districts in Sarawak (75 per cent) have been classified as having an ageing society.
National chief statistician Datuk Sri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the highest composition of the elderly population was recorded in Lubok Antu district at 13.5 per cent.
“The elderly population is expected to have one or more chronic diseases, involving high costs and long-term care. Therefore, allocation to the health sub-sector should always be increased.
“From an economic point of view, it will cause a change in the structure of the population pyramid.
“The working age group will gradually shrink and tax collection from this age group will decrease. Part of the population receives a pension but their pension does not contribute to the increase in national taxes,” he said during the Parliamentary and State Tour series of the key findings of the Malaysia Census 2020 and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 2021 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
He stressed the need for everyone to ensure that they have appropriate retirement funds to avoid financial difficulties in old age.
Dr. Mohd Uzir said the neglect and abuse of the elderly is a global problem that concerns many issues, including public health and human rights.
Based on the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2018 carried out by the Ministry of Health (MOH), he said it shows that three out of 10 elderly people lack support and social relationships.
For the record, the highest composition of the elderly population in the country is in Perak (8.9 per cent), Kedah (7.9 per cent), Perlis (7.9 per cent), and Sarawak (7.5 per cent).
