Dear Editor,
According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census, the number of single mothers in Malaysia rose to 940,735 from 831,860 in 2010. Many are active in the labour force, contributing to household incomes and the wider economy.
However, studies and advocacy groups indicate that many single mothers remain financially vulnerable, with a substantial proportion still within the Bottom 40% income group, even as Malaysia’s absolute poverty rate declined to 5.1% in 2024.
One of the main constraints is access to childcare. A 2026 Department of Statistics Malaysia survey found that 76% of working mothers regard workplace childcare as important, yet only 4.4% report having access to such facilities. This gap affects job stability, working hours and longer-term career progression.
Although labour force participation among single mothers has increased, many workplaces continue to operate on employment models that do not fully account for caregiving responsibilities. Flexible working arrangements and affordable childcare remain unevenly available across sectors.
Improving access to childcare and expanding flexible work policies would help strengthen labour participation among single mothers and support broader economic resilience.
Yours faithfully,
Firdaus Azil
