Young Malaysians' reluctance to pursue higher education is a worrying trend

A worrying trend is emerging in Malaysia, where a growing number of young people are choosing to forgo higher education and enter the workforce immediately after secondary school. This inclination is a significant concern for the nation's future development, according to former Chief Statistician of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd. Uzir Mahidin.

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This situation is worrying when as many as 7,099 candidates did not attend all subjects for the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

Dr. Mohd. Uzir highlighted the alarming statistic that 7,099 candidates did not sit for any subjects in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. He warned that this trend could severely impact the development of human capital, leading to a loss of valuable talent essential for economic progress. "If this continues, the nation's aspiration to become a high-income country and achieve the target of 35 percent skilled workers may not be met," he stated.

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If this continues, the nation's aspiration to become a high-income country and achieve the target of 35 percent skilled workers may not be met.

The issue requires serious attention as it is directly linked to the nation's human capital development. For the 2026 academic session, the Ministry of Higher Education recorded 351,012 SPM leavers applying through UPUOnline. Of these, 235,480 were deemed eligible, and 169,803 (72.11 percent) were offered places in public higher education institutions (IPTA). The declining trend in pursuing higher education suggests a potential gap in these numbers translating into actual enrollment or completion.

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The trend of young people not continuing their studies to a higher level needs serious attention because it is closely related to the nation's human capital development.

Beyond education, Dr. Mohd. Uzir also pointed to other demographic shifts that warrant concern. Declining birth rates and a high divorce rate could significantly affect the country's demographic structure. The average age for first-time mothers has risen to 29, compared to the early 20s two decades ago, and the average age of marriage is around 28. These changes in social patterns have implications for future population growth and national development. Reflecting on his 36-year career in statistics, Dr. Mohd. Uzir also shared the personal impact of announcing statistics, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when unemployment rose to 826,100. He expressed sadness witnessing figures that reflected the hardships faced by citizens, emphasizing the critical role of accurate data in effective policymaking.

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There are families facing uncertainty, forced to sell cars and unable to pay debts. So, when we announce figures like that, it brings sadness because behind those numbers are people's lives.