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A Review of Literature and Projects 2005
(6) Information on interventions,
policies and legislation was
obtained from reports and
papers written by relevant
government agencies, including
the Ministry of Health.
3. Key findings
The findings of the review are described
under four main themes: demography;
sexual and reproductive health status;
policies/legislations; and interventions.
3. 1. Demography
Two aspects are presented – general
demography and the age at marriage, the
latter being relevant as a proxy indicator
for sexual and reproductive health
activities and especially for risk of
pregnancy and its consequences for
young females.
3.1.1. General demography
Malaysia comprises thirteen (13) states
and three (3) federal territories in three
regions – Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and
Sarawak. The country’s population has
more than tripled over the last four
decades and, in 2002, was 24.5 million.
The average annual rate of population
growth is 2.6%. The per capital income
in 2002 was RM13 781 (US$ 3626),
placing Malaysia among middle-income
economies. The health profile of
Malaysia resembles that of a country in
transition from developing to developed
national status.
The demographic profile shows a
relatively “young nation”, with a sizeable
population between the ages of 10 and
24. The population of young people is
shown as a percentage in Figure 1 and in
absolute numbers in Figure 2. While the
percentage has remained almost stable,
the absolute numbers of 0-24 year-olds
have increased over the years.
Young people (15-24 years of age) make
up a fifth of the population, while
younger children (0-14 years of age)
make up about 40%. On a population
pyramid, Malaysia’s population shows
what is often termed a “youth bulge”,
which has clear implications for the social
and economic fabric of the nation,
especially in terms of creating more
demands for specific services for that age
group. This is important since it provides
policy-makers with evidence of the
importance of the health of adolescents,
a group that used to be considered less
important simply because their mortality
and morbidity rates are low. The fact that
they contribute to a sizeable proportion
of the population is enough reason for
attention to be accorded to adolescents.
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