Malaysian Fertility and Family Survey (MPFS-2) 1984

The Malaysian Fertility and Family Survey 1984, also referred to as MPFS-2, represents the second series of LPPKN’s national survey on population, fertility and family development. Building on the first survey conducted in 1974, MPFS-2 marked an important continuation of Malaysia’s efforts to generate reliable demographic and family-related evidence for policy planning and national development. The survey was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia between November 1984 and February 1985. It was implemented by the National Population and Family Development Board, Malaysia, with funding from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).

The study was carried out with technical guidance from the steering committee comprising representatives from the University of Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (currently known as Universiti Putra Malaysia), the Economic Planning Unit, Department of Statistics Malaysia, Socio-Economic Research Unit, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Welfare, Federation of Family Planning Associations and other relevant agencies. MPFS-2 was undertaken at a time when Malaysia was experiencing major demographic and socio-economic changes. Fertility had begun to decline, marriage patterns were changing, and the country was preparing to strengthen the integration of population issues into development planning. The survey therefore provided a timely evidence base to understand marriage, family formation, fertility behaviour, contraceptive practice, family size preferences, maternal and child health, and public awareness of the New Population Policy announced in the early 1980s.

Objectives

The main objective of MPFS-2 was to provide the National Population and Family Development Board and relevant agencies with up-to-date information on family formation processes and demographic trends in Peninsular Malaysia. Specifically, the survey aimed to:

• Examine trends in marriage, fertility and family formation;
• Understand the factors influencing fertility behaviour and reproductive decision-making;
• Provide information on contraceptive knowledge, use and future intentions;
• Analyse family size preferences, sex preferences and aspirations for children;
• Assess selected maternal and child health practices;
• Explore awareness and attitudes towards the New Population Policy
• Generate evidence to support the implementation of population policy and development planning.

Coverage and Respondents

The 1984/85 MPFS focused on Peninsular Malaysia and used a standard sampling procedure to select households in sample areas. The main study population consisted of evermarried women aged 15–49 years. A total of 5,400 households were selected for the survey. Of these, 4,662 completed household interviews were obtained, covering 26,267 household members. Among the women eligible for detailed interview, 4,141 ever-married women aged 15–49 years were included in the individual survey.

Key Outputs and Achievements

One of the key outputs from MPFS-2 was the analytical report titledMarriage and Family Formation in Peninsular Malaysia, published by the National Population and Family Development Board in 1988. The report presented detailed analysis of marriage, fertility, contraceptive knowledge and use, family size preferences, regional variations, maternal and child health, and the implications of survey findings for the New Population Policy. The study provided important evidence on the long-term trend towards later marriage among women in Peninsular Malaysia. It also documented changes in marital patterns, family formation, fertility behaviour and the relationship between education, residence, ethnicity and reproductive outcomes. MPFS-2 was also significant because it expanded the understanding of family formation beyond fertility alone. It examined how marriage timing, contraceptive behaviour, desired family size, sex preferences, aspirations for children and maternal health practices were interconnected within the broader process of family development.

The findings contributed to a better understanding of Malaysia’s fertility transition during the 1980s. They provided useful inputs for population policy, family planning programmes, maternal and child health services, and development planning. The survey also strengthened LPPKN’s role as a national institution responsible for producing population and family data to guide evidence-based policies and programmes.MPFS-2 was a critical milestone in Malaysia’s population research history. It bridged the earlier fertility-focused survey of 1974 with later, broader population and family surveys, laying the foundation for more comprehensive KPKM series in 1994, 2004, 2014 and beyond.