From ‘kodokushi’ in Japan to Perak villages, lonely deaths rise as Malaysia’s ageing population grows

KUALA KANGSAR, Malaysia - The growing number of elderly people living alone in Malaysia has led to a rise in "lonely deaths," where individuals pass away without anyone noticing for days. In Perlis, a state with a population of about 300,000, 80 such cases were recorded between 2022 and August 2024, according to Associate Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim, director of the Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Perlis recorded 15 cases alone between 2021 and July 2025, indicating an increasing trend. In Perak, which has the highest proportion of elderly people in the country at 10.8%, there have been 15 such incidents between 2021 and July 2026. Datuk Sayani Saidon, director of the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, highlighted the challenges in reaching people living alone in emergencies and urged families and neighbours to maintain regular contact with their elderly relatives and neighbours.

With children moving to cities and changing family structures, the issue of lonely deaths is becoming a significant social challenge that requires attention from families, communities, and the government.