{
  "id": 9450286,
  "title": "An ageing society needs a well-funded strategy in Budget 2027",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/an-ageing-society-needs-a-well-funded-strategy-in-budget-2027-9450286",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/09/24/an-ageing-society-needs-a-well-funded-strategy-in-budget-2027"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As Malaysia transitions into one of the fastest ageing societies in Asia, the demand for elderly care will rapidly increase. According to United Nations data, Malaysia officially became an ageing society in 2021 when the population aged 65 and above surpassed the 7% threshold. By 2048, it is projected to become an aged society with 14% of the population aged 65 and older. The future does not stop there, with Malaysia expected to become a super-aged society by 2056-2057, with over 20% of the population in this age group.\n\nTo tackle the challenges posed by this demographic shift, Malaysia aims to train 50,000 skilled caregivers for the elderly by 2030. This ambitious goal would require approximately 1,250 graduates per month over a period of 40 months. However, the scale of this training program is alarming, as it could cost a minimum of RM125 million to train 50,000 basic-level caregivers. For higher standards, the cost could reach up to RM500 million. The cost alone is not the only barrier, as recruiting students to become caregivers may prove difficult due to low salaries, physically demanding work, and limited career progression.\n\nTraining facilities and qualified trainers are also scarce in Malaysia, making it challenging to scale up new programs at universities and colleges. Furthermore, gender roles play a significant role in the caregiving profession, as caregiving is often perceived as a suitable career for women who are entering or re-entering the workforce. However, the social stigma surrounding male caregivers and the societal expectation that caregiving is a family responsibility present significant barriers to entry.\n\nThe care economy in Malaysia must also address the economic impact and the long-term commitment required to make caregiving a sustainable and viable profession. Opening the nursing home industry to foreigners may be a cost-effective solution in the short term, but it fails to address the need for well-paid, high-skilled caregivers who can provide human interaction and a sense of dignity for our vulnerable seniors. In Budget 2027, the Malaysian government must establish a taskforce of experts and economists to address the multiple issues affecting the care economy and caregiving ecosystem. While technology can support caregiving, it cannot replace the essential human touch required in this profession.",
  "summary": "As we look forward to Budget 2027, funding for the care economy especially for the elderly must form part of government spending plans.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "An ageing society needs a well-funded strategy in Budget 2027",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/an-ageing-society-needs-a-well-funded-strategy-in-budget-2027",
        "published": "2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}