Responding to MPs’ concerns about the “childfree” trend raised during the debate over a Suhakam report, Nancy said Malaysia was not alone in facing a drop in the total fertility rate (TFR).

She said Malaysia’s TFR had decreased from 2.1 in 2010 to 1.6 in 2022.

Nancy said countries in the Asia-Pacific, such as Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand were also experiencing similar declines, with some falling below replacement levels.

“Various factors contribute to this decline in TFR, including economic factors and lifestyle choices which influence decisions regarding the age of marriage and the number of children. Infertility issues can also impact the TFR,” she told the Dewan Rakyat.

“The ministry believes that the decision to have children and determining the number of children is the right of the couple.”

On Saturday, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said the trend of couples opting to be “childfree” due to the perception that children were a burden contradicted the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad.

He said the federal territories mufti’s office had issued a fatwa stating that choosing a childfree lifestyle to avoid responsibilities was considered makruh (discouraged), according to Islamic law.