Ageing

by AZALEA AZUAR

MORE than half of Malaysians (60%) are more positive about ageing compared to globally, saying they look forward to their later years.

A survey conducted by Ipsos Sdn Bhd entitled Malaysian Attitudes Towards Ageing 2025 found that 58% of Malaysians have a positive view of ageing, which is significantly higher compared to the global average (38%) and comparable to other South-East Asian countries.

“In developed countries, a longer life expectancy and a higher threshold for what is considered ‘old age’ do not translate into positive sentiment,” it said.

The survey also highlighted that people’s enthusiasm for ageing increases with higher income, better education and the belief that they are still far from old age.

Ipsos believes Malaysia’s positive outlook may be influenced by cultural traditions that value elders as well as strong family and community support systems.

Optimism is higher in Indonesia (89%) and the Philippines (74%), while Thailand matches Malaysia at 58% and Singapore records 46%.

By comparison, only 30% of respondents in Japan and 10% in France said they look forward to growing old.

The survey showed that Malaysians now consider old age to begin at 60, up from 56 in 2018, a four-year shift not seen elsewhere in South-East Asia.

By comparison, Indonesians set the threshold at 59, Filipinos at 60, Singaporeans at 62 and Thais at 65. Globally, the average is 66, with France recording the highest at 72.

Malaysians expect to live an average of 74 years, just below the actual life expectancy of 75.2 years. This gap is smaller than in Japan, where people anticipate living to 80 despite an actual life expectancy of 83.5 years.

In South-East Asia, life expectancy is 72.5 years in Indonesia and 71.8 years in the Philippines. 

Ipsos found that countries with longer life expectancy often feel less positive about ageing, while those with shorter life expectancy, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, tend to be more optimistic.

The firm cautioned that Malaysia is expected to become an “aged nation” by 2043, where 14% of its population will be aged 65 and above. 

Hence, it stressed the need for better investment in healthcare and social protection to ensure seniors can live a quality life.

The survey results were based on interviews with about 23,745 adults under the age of 75 from 32 countries.

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