PENANG is facing growing concerns over a declining birth rate, particularly among the Chinese community, which state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai warned could significantly affect the future of Chinese primary schools.
Chinese Malaysians now account for only nine per cent of newborns nationwide, while making up 26 per cent of annual deaths, resulting in a yearly population decline of 17,486 people.
“If we calculate based on the total number of 1,304 Chinese primary schools nationwide, in six years, there will be an average of only 26 Chinese students enrolled in each school,” he said.
Penang recorded the lowest crude birth rate of any state at 9.3 per 1,000 and the lowest fertility rate at 1.1 children per woman, down from 1.2.
Nationally, 396,175 babies were born in 2025, 18,743 fewer than the year before, while deaths rose 0.4 per cent to 199,807.
Wong said more incentives are needed to boost the birth rate in Penang, as the state moves into an ageing society, with more than 10 per cent of the population aged 65 and above.
“It is not exclusive to the Chinese community but the overall projections of other communities too,” he said.
But he said this is a worrying trend, especially since Penang has the lowest birth rate in the country.
He said that only 19 per cent of the newborns in Penang are of Chinese descent.
He said the state welcomed 16,722 babies throughout the year, of which only 3,235 were Chinese or 19 per cent, while the highest birth rate was among Malays, with 10,507 babies or 63 per cent born throughout the year.
“With the Chinese population continuing to decline, some Chinese schools may eventually have to admit more students from other ethnic groups to ensure the schools can continue to operate,” he said.
“Faced with these problems, we must have a corresponding plan, such as Chinese schools that cannot attract students must be relocated, and we must also have a longer-term plan,” he added.
The Penang government is introducing fertility funding, childcare support and family-friendly initiatives to address falling birth rates.
Research shows high living costs, childcare expenses and family commitments are causing couples to delay parenthood or have fewer children.
Officials warn that an ageing population may lead to school relocations and long-term education reforms.—Oct 18, 2026
Main image: xinhuanet.com
