Brian Jeffrey
During a seminar focusing on addressing the declining fertility rate, Nguyen Thien Nhan, former Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized the need for innovative population policies to prevent further decreases in Vietnam’s birth rate.
One of the main factors influencing late marriages and smaller families is financial stability. To incentivize families to have two children, there is a necessity for appealing policies regarding working conditions, maternity and paternity leave, wages, and career advancements. Additionally, there should be initiatives supporting workers in purchasing homes.
Moreover, it is crucial to provide education on successful spousal relationships and parenting to promote happiness within families.
Nhan suggested introducing happiness-related curriculum in schools along with establishing a Happiness Index across all regions to assess and publicize the happiness levels every two years.
He stressed the significance of making marriage and parenthood sources of joy and pride for Vietnamese citizens, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling these societal roles responsibly.
Contributors to the low birth rate include varying education levels, living standards, financial burdens, and increasing rates of abortion and infertility. Pham Vu Hoang from the Ministry of Health’s General Department of Population highlighted findings from a 2019 study showing that wealthier individuals had an average of 2 children, while those with lower income had slightly more at 2.4 children. Families with moderate financial backgrounds had around 2.03-2.07 children.
People with lower educational qualifications (below primary level) had an average of 2.35 children, whereas those with higher education levels, particularly women, had the lowest average of 1.98 children.
The reluctance of young couples in urban areas to have children is fueled by concerns about inadequate educational facilities, high tuition fees, and living expenses. A tendency to prioritize personal gratifications over child-rearing responsibilities is prevalent among many Vietnamese.
In 2023, Vietnam recorded its historically lowest fertility rate of under 2 children per woman (1.96 children).
According to the General Department of Population, if the low fertility rate persists, Vietnam could experience negative population growth within the next 35 years. However, with more optimistic projections, the population growth rate could decline gradually, potentially reaching zero percent by 2069, when Vietnam’s population is estimated to reach 116.9 million individuals.
