External pressures lead Sabah couples to opt for smaller families

A COMBINATION of economic pressures, health concerns, and career aspirations has led modern couples in Sabah to opt for smaller families, a significant shift compared to the larger families of four decades ago.

Recent statistics reveal that Sabah has experienced the fastest decline in total fertility rate (TFR) in the country, with many couples in their mid-40s, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, citing these factors as the primary reasons for choosing to have fewer children.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said Sabah recorded the third-lowest fertility rate in the country, with an average of 1.4 children per family in 2020. He added that Sabah has seen the most rapid decline in fertility, dropping from 5.5 children per family in 1980 to just 1.4 children today.

Beyond personal choice, several state-specific challenges may have exacerbated the issue.

Sabah faces some of the highest living costs in Malaysia, with goods priced around 30% higher than in Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, the state has an unemployment rate of 7.5%, well above the national average of 3.5%. Sabah also ranks high in poverty levels, with one of the largest populations receiving welfare aid.

In 2022, the Social Welfare Department distributed RM2.4 billion in welfare aid nationwide, with Sabah receiving a significant share due to its high poverty rates, particularly in rural areas.

The rising cost of living is seen as one of the major deterrents to having larger families.

Yap Bit Leong, a local resident, shared her perspective, stating that raising a child today is “as expensive as buying a bungalow.”

“In most Chinese families, there are only one or two children now. Parents often complain that raising a child is incredibly costly. I come from a family of six siblings, but today, each of us has only one or two children.”

Yap attributed this change not only to economic factors but also to lifestyle changes.

“Our grandparents often said the more children, the better, as they were needed for labour like farming. But now, with most of us working office jobs, what labour do we need?” she said.

Yap also pointed out that many women in Sabah face health challenges that make pregnancy difficult, especially when they marry later in life.

“Many couples in Sabah tend to marry at an advanced age, when they are at the peak of their careers. This adds another layer of complexity when planning to have children,” she said.

Furthermore, the financial demands of raising children, coupled with work commitments, leave little room for larger families.

“It’s not just the daily expenses like tuition fees, insurance, and extracurricular activities.

“Both parents often work, and if no family members can help, who will take care of the children during work hours? Who will pick them up from school or help them with their homework?” Yap said.

According to the Department of Statistics, the average marriage age in Sabah has risen to 31 for men and 29 for women, compared to 22 for women and 26 for men in the 1970s. This shift in the marriage age also contributes to smaller family sizes, as couples delay having children.

Health concerns

Civil servant Asriyani Sumaseh echoed these sentiments, highlighting health concerns as a major factor in family planning.

“The main reasons we limit ourselves to fewer than three children are age and health. It’s not about infertility, but about the risks that come with pregnancy later in life. Getting pregnant after 45 can pose significant health risks,” she said.

Asriyani also noted that early stress in marriages can affect fertility, with young couples often facing financial and emotional pressures that impact their ability to have children.

Lecturer Aries Henry Joseph pointed out that family support, which was once common in larger households, is now less accessible.

“Raising a family requires good family support, which many couples today don’t have.

“Extended family members, like parents, can help with childcare, but not everyone has that luxury,” she said.

Aries believes the declining fertility rate in Sabah may also be tied to a generational shift in priorities.

“Younger generations are more focused on personal freedom, career goals, and enjoying life, such as travelling. These factors influence their decisions to have smaller families,” she added.

Private sector worker Karen Quah also noted that women today are more self-sufficient and focused on their careers.

“Women work and have acquired independence. They know what they want and are okay not being married and having children. When they choose a partner, it's also about companionship rather than building a family unit,” she said.

Children are blessings

“Time has changed mindsets, with parents becoming less pushy and more understanding of the demands of life.”

While modern couples opt for smaller families, some hold on to traditional beliefs about family size.

For instance, educator Sudirman Sinti shared that for him and his wife, children are considered blessings.

“We don’t limit the number of children we have. We let it follow the blessings we are given by God,” he said.

However, he also acknowledged that financial stability plays a role in family planning.

“The more children you have, the more blessings you share. But this consideration is only possible if both parents have good careers and stable incomes.”

Pilot Siti Solehah added that while children are indeed blessings, they also come with significant responsibilities.

“There’s a fine line between blessings and responsibility. It becomes a sin when parents have children beyond their means and can’t take care of them properly,” she said.

“Rezeki is a blessing, but having many children without the ability to care for them can turn into a great sin because a child is an ‘amanah’ (responsibility). If you cannot take good care of them, it becomes a sin,” she said. – September 5, 2024.

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