Final answer:
Malaysia's Vision 2020 was hindered by a high population growth rate, the pressures of globalization, and the global economic downturn, which slowed the pace of economic development and industrialization necessary to achieve the vision's goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malaysia's ambitious Vision 2020 aimed to propel the nation to a self-sufficient industrialized status by the year 2020. Despite Malaysia's significant economic development and infrastructural modernization, several factors impeded the full realization of Vision 2020. These include a high population growth rate, with a fertility rate of 2.1 that has not diminished swiftly enough to stabilize population growth, potentially threatening to eclipse economic achievements with the increased demand for resources. In addition, Malaysia must contend with globalization forces and the challenge to balance short-term economic policies with long-term investments in technology, education, and physical capital crucial for sustaining growth. Lastly, the global economic downturn that began in 2007 and the sluggish post-recession recovery created difficulties in maintaining the pace of industrialization and economic convergence, further complicating Malaysia's path to achieving Vision 2020.