Malaysia is facing a worrying rise in teenage pregnancies outside marriage, which raised concerns about the future of its young generation.
The problem continued to grow, with experts urging stronger intervention and support systems.
Between 2020 and 2024, government facilities recorded 16,951 pregnancies involving unmarried teenagers aged 19 and below.
Family and Marriage Counselling Consultant Hushim Salleh said excessive freedom has contributed to the rise in pregnancies outside marriage over the past five years, especially among underage teenagers who were still in school.
"Although I have handled cases of teenagers involved in premarital sex since the 1980s, the last five years have been the most worrying because we are facing around eight to 10 cases a month," he said.
He added that teenagers today had been heavily exposed to social media and pornography, which overall heightened their desire to engage in sexual activity.
The numbers raised serious concerns about whether schools, families and communities were providing adequate guidance and protection for young people.
If it was not controlled, it will undoubtedly have profound effects on the future of these children.
Early pregnancy often led to students dropping out of school due to stigma, peer pressure, or physical and emotional challenges that affected their ability to learn.
Many young mothers struggled to return to school without strong support systems such as counselling, flexible learning options, or childcare facilities.
As a result, their chances of pursuing higher education diminished and without a strong academic foundation, opportunities for stable and well-paid employment became increasingly limited.
Experts warned that teenage pregnancy was not merely a moral or personal matter, but a national issue that demanded urgent and coordinated action.
Without proper guidance, education and protection, more young Malaysians risked losing their future.
A stronger and more empowered young generation, they said was essential for the country to progress.