Declining birth rate among the Chinese community worrying, says Penang Exco

A recent decline in the birth rate among the Chinese community has raised concerns in Penang, according to Penang executive councillor Wong Hon Wai. The number of newborns with Chinese descent has plummeted from over 110,000 in 2020 to approximately 30,000 today, a reduction of nearly one-third, reported <source c7ab064e-81a>. This worrying trend has been attributed to several factors, and Wong emphasized the need for additional incentives to boost the birth rate, particularly in Penang.

The state is rapidly aging, with over 10% of its population now aged 65 and above, and the overall projections for other communities also indicate a similar trend.

Wong cited enrolments in Chinese vernacular schools, noting that if projections based on the total number of 1,304 Chinese primary schools nationwide are applied, there will be an average of only 26 Chinese students per school in six years. This has led to the realization that only nine out of every 100 newborns in the country are of Chinese descent.

The birth rate has fallen below double digits, and the Chinese population is decreasing by 17,486 people annually. Furthermore, only 19% of newborns in Penang are of Chinese descent.

Wong has called for collaborative efforts between Chinese educationists and community leaders to address this issue. He highlighted that educational development is intertwined with population structure, and a decrease in student numbers will impact school enrollment, teacher allocation, school resources, and long-term educational development.

To ensure the continued operation of Chinese schools, some may need to admit more students from other ethnic groups. The councillor emphasized the necessity of developing corresponding plans, such as relocating schools with low enrollment or implementing a longer-term strategy to address this declining trend.