KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — With fertility rates going down and the life expectancy of citizens increasing, the government expects Malaysia to be an aged nation by 2030, Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun said.

According to the women, family, and community development deputy minister in The Star today, nine per cent or 2.77 million of the country's 30.49 million population are above 60 years of age.

"Due to a drop in fertility rates and a hike in the lifespan of citizens, Malaysia is expected to be an aged country by 2030, where 15 per cent of our population will be made up of senior citizens," she was quoted as saying.

Given this, Chew reportedly said a task force she heads has been formed to address the imminent increase in the number of senior citizens.

The English daily also quoted her as saying that the task force has already completed four consultation sessions with independent groups to study the matter.

"The latest developments are a debate on a study by the Malaysia Ageing Research Institute (IPPM) to identify issues as well as strategies to overcome them," Chew said.