Public Health: Managing Malaysia’s Low Fertility Rate

Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy | Dr Gitau Mburu, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Scientist, World Bank Special Programme - HRP, World Health Organization

14-Dec-23 16:00

Public Health: Managing Malaysia’s Low Fertility Rate

Pause
Embed

Malaysia's fertility is dropping drastically. In 2022, the fertility rate was 1.6 children per woman, the lowest that the country has recorded in 50 years. What is the impact of low fertility on the population? And if we want to address decreasing fertility, how do we increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need, without compromising on family planning and contraception? We discuss with Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy, and Dr Gitau Mburu, a scientist for sexual and reproductive health and research with the World Bank Special Programme - HRP, World Health Organization (WHO).

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Tee Shiao Eek

Presented by: Tee Shiao Eek

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories: Family/Parenting, wellness, health policy

Tags: sexual health, reproductive health, fertility rates, fertility, family planning, publichealth, the bigger picture, health and living,

Today’s Shows

6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist, US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr Sonia Mycak talks about the phone call between Trump and Putin in regards to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Zeckqualine Melai, Teacher & Researcher from the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication from Unimas Sarawak unpacks the broader implications of free tertiary education in Sarawak.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Mirzan Mahathir, Managing Director, Betamek.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Shazrul Ariff Suhaimi of Khazanah Research Institute looks into why 2.1% of jobs remained unfilled, even as Malaysia’s labour market reached 9.1 million in the Q1 2025.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) We dive into the local and international news that matters to you.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We bring you the latest on Bursa Malaysia and international capital markets.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

People, Planet, Profit

Najah Onn, founder of FashinFidelity discuss Malaysian trends in sustainable fashion.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

How Hotel Owners Lose Money And How to Avoid It

11:00 AM

Marketing Mojo

Beyond Tokenism: How Brands Can Get DEI Right

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Can the Global South Replace the West in Global Trade?

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Mirzan Mahathir, Managing Director, Betamek.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Beyond the Ballot Box

A Political economist shares his thoughts on IMF’s suggestion to increase retirement age to 70.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

We speak to a health economist about how supermarkets and governments can nudge people to make healthier grocery choices.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

6:00 PM

Talkback Tuesday

8:00 PM

BBC World Service

PROGRAMMES