AS PEOPLE LIVE longer and families grow smaller, the state’s age profile is changing. Penang now has a larger share of older residents compared
to other Malaysian states. Understanding these numbers is the first step toward preparing our communities, services and cities for an ageing society.
WHY IS PENANG AGEING?
Penang’s crude birth rate has fallen from about 20.5 births per 1,000 people in 2000 to just 10.1 in 2024. At the same time, crude death rate has edged upward as the share of older adults increases. While births still outnumber deaths, the gap is narrowing. This long-term shift explains why population growth is slowing, and marks Penang’s steady transition into an ageing society.
