The aging population (65 years and above), on the other hand, steadily increased from 3.50% of the total population in 1970 to 5.00% in 2000, expected to rise to an estimated 6.3% in 2020. This factor, coupled with the trend of declining numbers of children in the 0-14 group, signals the importance of attracting migrants from the rest of Malaysia. In 2001-02, the net migration was 8 400 declining further to 4 300 in 2002-03.