Poverty in a Malay State in Malaysia: A Socio-Demographic Study

Abstract

Leete (2007:147) stated that the poverty rate in Malaysia was 5.7%. The state of Sabah has the highest poverty rate at 23%, followed by Terengganu (15%), Kelantan (11%), Sarawak (8%), and Kedah (7%). In view of the scarcity of natural resources compared to Terengganu and Sabah which are receiving oil royalties from the Federal Government, Kelantan is potentially the poorest state, and will have the highest incidence of poverty in the near future.

This study focuses on poverty level in the state of Kelantan. The main objectives of this study is to examine the relationship between poverty and various socio-demographic characteristics such as, educational attainment, age, number of children still living and family size of the respondents in one state which is potentially the poorest state in Malaysia. The findings if this study will provide the information on socio-demographic variables of poverty needed by policy makers to formulate a long term strategy, not only to minimize the number of poor people but to further reduce and eradicate hard core poverty in the state.

The data pertinent to this study was collected through a questionnaire survey on poverty conducted in late 2009. Inferential statistics such as One-Way ANOVA was used to determine the relative impact of, and relationship between socio-demographic variables such as education, age, children still living (fertility) and family size of respondents and its relationship with poverty. It was found that family size has a very strong relationship with poverty among the respondents.

Data collection for this study was funded by the Center for Poverty and Development Studies, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya.

Keywords: Poverty, Education, Age, Children Still Living, Family size, Subsidies and Skills