EIC 2026 to Spotlight Youth Preparedness for Malaysia’s Ageing Population

By, Ameera Zulkiflee

GOMBAK, 9 OCTOBER 2026: As Malaysia moves toward becoming an ageing nation, an important question arises: how can today’s youth prepare for a future where a growing number of Malaysians will be older adults?

This question will take centre stage at the Economic Intervarsity Carnival 2026 (EIC), a flagship programme organised by the Bachelor of Economics Student Association (BECS) of Economics and Management Sciences Society (EMSS) on 17^th October 2026 (Saturday) from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm at the Banquet Hall, MAR Building, IIUM Gombak. The carnival aims to bring together young minds from universities to explore economic issues, exchange ideas and strengthen their understanding of current economic challenges.

One of the key highlights of EIC 2026 is its forum, titled  ‘From First Salary to Retirement: Are Malaysian Youth Ready for an Ageing Society?’. The forum will focus on Malaysia’s transition towards an ageing nation. The discussion aims to encourage young people to look beyond the present and understand how a country’s changing population will affect their future.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the proportion of Malaysians aged 65 and above increased from 8.0 per cent in 2025 to 8.4 per cent in 2026. Malaysia is also projected to enter the ageing nation phase by 2050, with those aged 60 and above expected to make up 15.3 per cent of the population. 

Against this backdrop, the forum will explore these issues from different perspectives, bringing together panellists representing the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI).

Beyond the forum, EIC 2026 will also feature activities such as case study competition where participating teams will develop youth-driven solutions based on the challenge statement, “Transform today’s ageing challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities through youth-driven innovation”, 

Other activities include networking opportunities, exhibitions and other academic engagements designed to encourage learning beyond the classroom.

These activities will provide students with opportunities to apply their knowledge and exchange ideas with peers from other universities. By bringing together participants from different institutions, the carnival also aims to strengthen connections among young people who share an interest in economics and its role in society.

The combination of academic discussions, interactive challenges and networking opportunities reflects EIC’s broader aim of making economics more relevant and accessible to students while encouraging critical thinking and collaboration.***