Brian Jeffrey
In Vietnam, a troubling trend of gender imbalance at birth is emerging, particularly in areas like Bac Ninh and Hanoi, where there is an increasing excess of males compared to females.
This information is highlighted in Vietnam’s inaugural national report on civil registration and vital statistics for 2021-2024, conducted by the General Statistics Office.
Typically, the sex ratio at birth (SRB) should be between 104 and 106 boys for every 100 girls; numbers above this suggest intentional gender selection practices.
The issue of gender imbalance gained momentum in the early 2000s, becoming more serious from 2006 onwards. Presently, the General Department of Population reports that the condition is worsening.
Despite numerous measures taken to mitigate the gender gap, the SRB in Vietnam has consistently exceeded normal limits from 2021 onwards, reaching 110.7 boys per 100 girls in 2024. The General Statistics Office indicated that efforts to address gender-based interventions during pregnancy have thus far failed to show improvement.
The most significant gender imbalances are found in provinces north of Quang Tri, particularly within the Red River Delta region.
During the 2021 to 2024 period, 10 out of the 11 provinces in this area reported SRBs greater than 110 boys per 100 girls. The highest rates were recorded in Bac Ninh (119.6), Vinh Phuc (118.5), Hanoi (118.1), Hung Yen (116.7), and Hai Duong (115.3).
Additionally, several provinces in the northern midland and mountainous region exhibited high SRBs, mostly exceeding 109 boys for every 100 girls, including Bac Giang (116.3) and Son La (115.0).
In 2024, Hanoi noted the highest gender imbalance in Vietnam, with a ratio of 123.3 boys to 100 girls, the highest since 2021, followed by Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh.
According to Dr. Pham Vu Hoang, Deputy Director of the General Department of Population, Vietnam’s gender imbalance emerged later than in other countries, but its rapid escalation has unique traits.
He pointed out that the issue is particularly severe with the first child and becomes more pronounced with subsequent children in families without sons, especially those with two daughters.
Couples with higher education and better economic standing are more likely to display this trend.
Several factors contribute to this situation, including the misuse of technology for fetal gender selection. As families tend to have fewer children (averaging 1.91), cultural preferences for male offspring lead some to influence gender outcomes.
The General Statistics Office warns that gender imbalance disrupts natural population dynamics, posing risks to demographic stability. The anticipated male surplus could complicate marriage patterns, leaving many young men single and delaying marriage.
“An imbalance where there are more men than women could result in many men remaining unmarried,” Dr. Hoang remarked, projecting that Vietnam could see a surplus of 1.5 million men by 2034, increasing to 2.5 million in the subsequent 25 years.
Conversely, provinces from Hue southward show minimal gender imbalance, with SRBs between 105 and 108 boys for every 100 girls, near the natural average.
This highlights the need for tailored policy efforts focused on northern Vietnam instead of applying the same strategies nationwide.
