Rural-urban migration has long been a distinctive demographic phenomenon all over the world.
Following such phenomenon, family structure has changed dramatically. After the New
Economic Policy was launched in Malaysia in 1970, urbanization has become accelerating and
as a consequence more and more young people moving into urban areas. Older generation,
particularly the older parents were left behind in rural areas. Older persons in Malaysia generally
are living with their adult children.Following the increases rate of rural-urban migration, the
pattern of living arrangement of older people in rural areas has been changing. Older people
have to be living independently without their adult children as contrasted to the past. This paper
examines whether the rural-urban migration affects the future patterns of living arrangement of
older persons in rural society in Malaysia. To meet this objective, a total of 60 older persons
aged 50 years and above in Yan District, in the state of Kedah, Malaysia have been selected as
samples of the survey. Based on face-to-face interviews, it was revealed that nearly half of older
persons reported they are living with their adult children. A number of respondents who live
with spouses were quite sizable. Older persons living alone were insignificant. Result also shows
that the preferences of living arrangements amongst older persons in the future are diverse. In
spite of having desire to continue living with spouses, there are a considerable number of older
persons who intend to live with their children. None of them feels likely to live with relative.
The number of older persons who intends to be living in welfare homes is also insignificant.
Thus, there is a tendency that norms living with children will diminish in Malaysia in the future.
To discuss this issue, the paper begins with: (1) an overview of rural-urban migration in
Malaysia, (2) profiles of respondents, and (3) current patterns of living arrangement. The paper
will end with discussion on living arrangement preference of older persons in the future.