The male population in Pahang currently exceeds females, with a ratio of 113 men to 100 women as revealed by a census conducted last year.
National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) director-general Aminah Abdul Rahman said results from the Population and Housing Census 2010 showed that the ratio also exceeded the national level of 105 men to 100 women.
She said the census found the population of Pahang to be made up of 759,587 men and 683,778 women.
According to Aminah, this gender imbalance could lead to a marriage squeeze, which refers to a demographic imbalance in which the number of potential brides does not approximately equal the number of potential grooms.
“This scenario may occur after young women move out of the state, forcing the men here to wait a long time for a bride and contribute to late marriages.”
She said this to reporters after a briefing on the National Family Policy and National Family Policy Action Plan, yesterday, which was also attended by Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob, State Secretary Mohammad Safian Ismail and state executive councillors.
Aminah said the population census also showed that the imbalance was due to the birth of 13,232 baby boys compared to 12,279 baby girls in 2008.
“The census report also states that 198,600 men were of marriageable age, which is from 20 to 34, compared to only 188,900 women,” she said.
She also noted that the number of foreigners in Pahang had increased by 7.5 per cent (one foreigner to 13 locals) which gave local men competition in getting a life partner or employment, impacting the family institution.
She hoped the National Family Policy would give state governments a family perspective in development and planning.
“This includes revising policies and regulations at the office which are not family-friendly, as well as giving comprehensive family support service for a more productive and stable life,” she said.
– Bernama
Jimmy Tan
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