NHMS 2025: Only 14.7 Percent of Seniors Aging Well – Dzulkefly
PUTRAJAYAApril 20 (Bernama) — The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2025 revealed that only 14.7 percent of seniors in Malaysia meet the five key criteria for achieving healthy ageing, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The five criteria are having high social support, not having cognitive limitations or depression, being able to be independent in daily activities, and not having chronic illnesses or chronic illnesses that are under control.
Dzulkefly said the population survey involving 7,528 respondents was the second research to focus on the health status of elderly people aged 60 years after the first survey in 2018.
“These findings demonstrate the urgent need to strengthen public health efforts and social support to ensure that this group can age healthily and with dignity.
“If developed countries such as Japan and Sweden took almost a century to adjust their systems, Malaysia is projected to reach aging country status in 2036 when the composition of the population aged 60 years and above is estimated to exceed 15 percent,” he said, adding that the country’s aging population is also one of the fastest in the world.
He said this at the launch ceremony 2025 NHMS Survey Findings: Health of the Elderlyhere, today.
Dzulkefly said the 2025 NHMS statistics also revealed two systemic challenges, namely mobility issues and social isolation as well as the financial burden borne by the elderly and their caregivers.
“With an elderly population of 4.1 million people and 18.8 percent of whom live alone, it is feared that transportation problems will be the main obstacle that prevents them from being able to consistently access treatment at health facilities.
“This mobility problem is not just a logistical problem, but is an important factor that affects their quality of life and safety,” he said.
However, he said, the survey also found that 61.3 percent of elderly people who lived alone had a high level of social support.
The NHMS 2025 findings also highlight the issue of financial burden becoming increasingly acute, not only for seniors but also for their caregivers, as one in three caregivers are reported to be carrying an overwhelming burden that includes significant physical, emotional and financial stress.
“This obstacle is getting worse considering that only 40 percent of people have sufficient savings in the Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF) for old age. This economic dilemma forces families to prioritize basic needs so that aspects of health services must be put aside,” he said.
Dzulkefly said in terms of mental health, 9.8 percent of seniors would suffer from dementia in 2025, up slightly from 8.5 percent in 2018, while the prevalence of depression would fall to eight percent from 11.2 percent.
“In terms of physical health, the prevalence of limitations in carrying out daily activities (ADL) in the elderly is 10 percent, down from 17 percent.
“At the same time, the prevalence of limitations in carrying out Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) decreased to 27 percent compared to 33 percent in 2018,” he said.
Dzulkefly said NHMS 2025 findings showed that 30.6 percent of elderly people were not physically active, while 12.8 percent engaged in high levels of sedentary behavior.
The survey also found that 45 percent of elderly people suffer from sarcopenia, 60 percent are at risk of experiencing weakness, and 11 percent have already experienced weakness.
He said to address the challenges of an aging population, several strategic changes have been outlined including shifting from treatment to prevention models, strengthening community-based services as well as reforming long-term care funding.
One measure being considered is the implementation of long-term care insurance to ensure that seniors do not have to choose between getting quality health care and taking on the financial burden of their families, he said.
In addition, elderly activity centers need to be empowered as integrated care centers at the community level, which combine health, rehabilitation, social support and digital health monitoring services.
Dzulkefly also emphasized the importance of developing the silver economy by realizing the role of the elderly as a source of experience and potential workforce.
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