Golden age population, healthy environment, growth and poverty: are Malaysia really in a sustainable condition?

Abstract

This study analyses the sustainability condition of a healthy environment, economic growth and poverty level in relation to the golden age population in Malaysia based on the quantile regression estimates covering the period of 1960 until 2016. Generally, studies on aging population have generated attention globally due to its possible impact on health care, greenhouse gas emissions, globalization, investment for the purpose of research and development, income inequality and energy consumption. More specifically, evidence from the current empirical study shows a positive sign of the bootstrap quantile regression relationship between a healthy environment and per capita income with the aging population. This ensures that, the country is facing the growth-led-aging population condition. Furthermore, the findings have also revealed that poverty is giving a negative effect with the aging population grows. This study may suggest a re-evaluating of the existing theories of aging population and provide new insights for policy-makers for the purpose of sustainable population planning for up-coming decades.