Love can wait: how money is reshaping M’sian family plans

For many Malaysians, deciding when to settle down increasingly involves more than finding the right partner. Financial security, housing costs and the prospect of raising children can weigh heavily on decisions.

Recent findings suggest these considerations are prompting a substantial number of young adults to postpone major milestones, with some opting against them altogether.

According to a RinggitPlus survey published on Oct 22, some 24.3% of respondents aged 25-44 said financial considerations had led them to delay or decide against marriage, a planned wedding, or having their first child within the past five years.

The findings were based on responses from 1,454 people in that age group, drawn from a wider online survey of 3,005 Malaysians conducted between Sept 28 and Oct 11.

The influence of money was particularly pronounced among younger respondents: 28.9% of those aged 25-34 reported making such decisions, compared with 19.1% among those aged 35-44.

Interestingly, the pattern extended across income groups. Among respondents aged 25-44, 22.8% of those earning below RM2,000 reported financially influenced decisions about these milestones, compared with 25.8% earning RM2,000 to RM4,999, and 23.1% earning at least RM5,000.

When aspirations meet reality

While weddings, marriage and parenthood are closely connected, they involve different financial considerations. A couple might postpone a big celebration without abandoning plans to marry, while others may delay having children until they feel better prepared.

This distinction matters because the survey does not suggest that a quarter of young Malaysians have decided against starting families. Rather, it identifies respondents whose decisions or timelines have been influenced by money.

Earlier research by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) reinforces that distinction: a survey of 3,625 Malaysians, highlighted during World Population Day in July, found that 90.9% of single respondents intended to marry, while 91.1% hoped to have children.

The findings suggest that marriage and parenthood remain important aspirations, even as financial circumstances complicate the path towards achieving them.

Responsibilities across generations

For some Malaysians, the challenge extends beyond preparing for their own households. RinggitPlus found that 63% of all respondents provided financial assistance to their parents or parents-in-law, with 32% doing so monthly and another 30.9% contributing occasionally.

Even among respondents earning less than RM2,000, more than half reported supporting their parents financially.

Such commitments illustrate how family finances can involve responsibilities across generations, particularly when individuals are simultaneously trying to build savings, establish independent households and prepare for future expenses.

The survey also revealed considerable differences in financial resilience. Among those earning below RM2,000, 39% said their savings would last less than a month if they lost their jobs, while 36% reported saving nothing each month.

This could explain why the prospect of taking on additional long-term commitments may feel daunting, although the survey does not establish that any particular financial obligation directly caused respondents to postpone family plans.

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