Declining birth rate, low population, Ministry of Health proposes that couples decide the number of children

The Ministry of Health proposes to adjust the rights and obligations of each couple and individual in deciding the number of children, time of birth and spacing between births.

The Ministry of Health proposes to adjust the rights and obligations of each couple and individual in deciding the number of children, time of birth and spacing between births.

From 2006 to 2021, Vietnam has achieved and maintained replacement fertility, maintained a reasonable population growth rate, and achieved the target on population size.

By 2023, our country's population has exceeded the set target, reaching more than 104 million people, with the goal of reaching 104 million by 2030. This shows the stability and development of the country's population policy.

The Ministry of Health proposes to adjust the rights and obligations of each couple and individual in deciding the number of children, time of birth and spacing between births.

Vietnam is currently in the golden population period, creating great advantages for the socio-economic development process. Along with the increase in population quality, the human development index (HDI) is constantly increasing, the average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is also increasing. In particular, the population distribution has improved significantly, becoming more reasonable.

The achievements in maintaining replacement fertility and increasing population quality are important premises for Vietnam to shift from family planning policy to population and development policy, in order to meet the requirements of the current situation.

However, through reviewing legal documents related to population work, the Ministry of Health found that many regulations are not consistent with the current legal system and do not meet practical requirements.

Specifically, some contents of the Population Ordinance are no longer consistent with the Constitution, especially the provisions restricting couples' right to decide the number of children.

The provisions in the Population Ordinance are no longer consistent with current legal documents or have been adjusted by other Laws, such as the provisions on restricting population concentration in some large urban areas.

Population regulations are no longer appropriate to the reality, especially when the birth rate has been continuously decreasing over the years, but current laws still impose limits on the number of children each couple can have.

Although our country has maintained the replacement level of fertility for many years, the current situation shows that the fertility rate is tending to fall below the replacement level.

According to the Ministry of Health, the national fertility rate has decreased from 2.11 children/woman (2021) to 2.01 children/woman (2022), 1.96 children/woman (2023) and is forecast to continue to decrease to 1.91 children/woman (2024), the lowest level in history.

According to forecasts, if the birth rate continues to decline, Vietnam will end its golden population period in 2039, the working-age population will peak in 2042, and after 2054, the population will begin to decline.

The consequences of a prolonged low fertility rate can lead to a shortage of labor force, a decline in population size, an increase in population aging, and negative impacts on socio-economic development.

Over the past two decades, urban fertility has fallen below replacement levels, hovering around 1.7 to 1.8 children per woman. Rural fertility remains higher, at 2.2 to 2.3 children per woman.

However, by 2023, the fertility rate in rural areas had fallen to 2.07 children, below the replacement level and the lowest level ever.

This reflects an ongoing trend of declining fertility in both regions, signaling major challenges for future population policy.

Faced with low fertility, many countries have implemented policies to maintain and improve fertility, such as flexible working, improved maternity leave, unpaid leave, shorter working hours or part-time work in workplaces to support parents in raising children.

Financial incentives: Childbirth bonuses, tax subsidies, monthly cash grants for children, rental and housing cost assistance.

Child Care: Increase the availability of child care services, support child care costs.

Assisted Reproduction: Improve in vitro fertilization services, regulate insurance coverage for infertility treatments, and increase access to these services.

In order to deal with the low birth rate problem, the Ministry of Health is drafting amendments to the Population Ordinance, with the aim of creating a flexible population policy that can adapt to the new situation.

Specifically, the Ministry of Health proposed adjusting the rights and obligations of each couple and individual in deciding the number of children, time of birth and spacing between births.

At the same time, protecting reproductive health, preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS will also receive more attention in policies related to population and family planning.

Vietnam is facing serious challenges related to low fertility and population aging.

Population policy needs to be adjusted promptly to suit reality, ensure sustainable development and respond to changes in population structure.

Improving the population policy system and human development is one of the important factors in the country's socio-economic development strategy in the coming decades.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/muc-sinh-giam-dan-so-thap-bo-y-te-de-xuat-cap-vo-chong-duoc-quyet-dinh-so-con-d249795.html