Urbanization, Social Change and the Increasing Role of Women as Family Breadwinner

The urbanization process in Malaysia since 1957 has significantly transformed the role of women in society. Urbanization phenomena have transformed the structure, dynamics, and traditional roles of women within the basic unit of the family. This paper examines how urbanization and social changes in the post-independence period have influenced the shift in women's roles- from traditional domestic functions to becoming key income-generators for their families. The analysis is grounded in Census data and Vital Statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). A review of rapid urban growth from 1957 to 2025 indicates that urbanization has shaped a distinct pattern of increasing women's participation in the labor force and a rise in the proportion of women serving as Heads of Households. Concurrently, data shows a significant upward trend in women's enrollment in higher education (matriculation, colleges, and universities). Additionally, the data reveals a pattern of delayed marriage among working women (aged 27-29) and a tendency towards smaller nuclear family sizes. The profound changes observed between 1957 and 2025 demonstrate that the urbanization process has fundamentally reshaped the role of Malaysian women, transitioning them from traditional domestic roles to primary income-generators for their families. As women's economic roles have expanded, they require a supportive environment and appropriate policies to effectively fulfill their evolving responsibilities. This includes work-life balance initiatives, fair career opportunities, and more equitable distribution of household tasks.