Lowest birth rate in history, Ministry of Health encourages each family to have 2 children

In 2023, the replacement fertility rate in Vietnam is estimated to be 1.96 children/woman, the lowest in history and is forecast to continue to decrease in the following years.

Mr. Tran Van Thuan spoke at the launching ceremony on the morning of December 10 - Photo: T.MINH

This was shared by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan at the launching ceremony of the national action month on population and the celebration of Vietnam Population Day on December 26, organized by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the Hanoi People's Committee on the morning of December 10.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Thuan said that Vietnam's population work is currently facing many difficulties and challenges. One is that maintaining a stable replacement fertility rate nationwide is not really sustainable.

"Vietnam is experiencing a downward trend in fertility rates, with an estimated 1.96 children per woman in 2023, the lowest in history, and forecast to continue to decline in the following years. In addition, the rapid increase in the sex ratio at birth has been controlled, but remains high and shows no signs of decreasing, with 112 boys per 100 girls in 2023.

The population is aging rapidly and will soon pass the golden population period. Along with that, the situation of early marriage, incestuous marriage, pregnancy and childbirth among minors, stature, physical strength, and quality of life also need to be improved more... ", Mr. Thuan said.

Mr. Matt Jackson, chief representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam, said that according to the results of research by the General Statistics Office in collaboration with UNFPA, Vietnam is still in the "golden population" period, meaning that each dependent is supported by two people of working age.

However, Vietnam's population has begun aging since 2011 and is aging at a much faster rate than other countries.

It is forecasted that Vietnam will become an aging country by 2036 and a super-aging society by 2049. At the same time, Vietnam is also entering a low fertility trend, with a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.96 in 2023.

The transition from a young to an aging society has far-reaching implications and Vietnam needs to start preparing for these demographic changes now.

"Vietnam needs to implement solutions including increasing labor productivity combined with policies to create sustainable jobs, as well as increasing the labor participation rate, especially for the elderly population, supporting women to maintain their participation in the labor market and investing in health and education...", said Mr. Matt Jackson.

At the ceremony, the organizers also sent out 5 messages of the national action month on population selected by the organizers:

- High quality population, driving force for Vietnam's development;

- Pre-marital health check-up to prepare for the golden generation;

- Maintain reasonable birth rate, population balance, sustainable future;

- Having 2 children, wise parents, children are blessed;

- Gender equality is the foundation for controlling the sex ratio at birth.

After the launching ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Health handed over the flag to the youth union of Dong Anh district to carry out a parade to promote the national action month on population.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/muc-sinh-thap-nhat-trong-lich-su-bo-y-te-khuyen-khich-moi-gia-dinh-sinh-du-2-con-20241210135029873.htm