KUALA LUMPUR: Career priorities, financial constraints, and difficulty finding suitable partners are among the reasons many individuals choose to postpone marriage and remain single. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri highlighted these concerns during a recent event.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, findings from the Fifth Malaysian Population and Family Survey revealed that 86.8 percent of single individuals expressed a desire to marry but were hindered by these factors. Additionally, Nancy cited the Marriage and Divorce Statistics released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, which noted a significant decline in the number of marriages by 12.5 percent, from 215,022 in 2022 to 188,100 last year.

The declining marriage rates are having a direct impact on the country’s fertility rate, now at 1.7 children per woman, which is considerably below the population replacement level of 2.1. Nancy emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, which affects not only famil
ies but also the future economic and social dimensions of the nation.

The Mahligai Cinta Perdana Reception, where Nancy spoke, celebrated 35 couples who had participated in the SMARTSTART 2.0 pre-marriage course. This initiative, organized by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, offers both online and physical sessions aimed at equipping couples with essential skills and knowledge.

Nancy explained that the SMARTSTART 2.0 programme, which was introduced in 2006 and enhanced in 2022, is offered through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN). The course aims to strengthen the marriage institution by teaching effective communication, financial management, and conflict resolution.

She expressed confidence that the knowledge gained through this programme would help couples build stronger relationships and establish harmonious families, contributing positively to society.