Breaking News: Vietnam scraps two-child policy to combat plummeting birth rates
Decline in Vietnam's Birth Rate: Authorities Eliminate Two-Child Limit Policy
The communist regime in Vietnam has done away with its longstanding two-child policy, as per state media reports. This move is intended to combat the recent decline in the nation's birth rate, which has been a matter of concern for quite some time now. The policy, first implemented in 1988, restricted families from having more than two children. As the latest update, couples are now given the leeway to decide their family size.
For the past three years, Vietnam has faced a sharp drop in its birth rate. In 2023, the rate stood at 1.96 children per woman, dipping below the required ratio necessary to sustain the country's population size. Earlier, in 2021, the birth rate was 2.11 children per woman, and it further dropped to 2.01 in 2022. This downward trend is particularly noticeable in urbane, economically developed regions like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where escalating living costs pose a significant challenge to family expansion.
Addressing a conference earlier this year, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong expressed that convincing families to bear more children has become increasingly tough, despite legislative modifications and public advocacy campaigns. This dwindling birth rate poses a serious hurdle to long-term socio-economic development, considering the looming concerns of an aging populace and labor shortages.
Apart from the aforementioned birth rate issue, Vietnam also grapples with a gender imbalance due to prevalent societal preference for male progeny. As a lawful measure, revealing a child's gender before birth or performing sex-selective abortions is illegal. Violators face hefty fines. Recently, the health ministry proposed a hefty tripling of the current penalty, raising it to $3,800 (€3,340).
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
Insight:
- Vietnam officially ended its two-child policy in 2025, allowing couples to determine their family size without restrictions as part of efforts to tackle decreasing fertility rates and demographic shifts.
- The government is currently focused on providing comprehensive prenatal and neonatal care and addressing demographic challenges proactively through legislation.
- This move by Vietnam to abolish its two-child policy is a significant shift in the country's community policy.
- The revised employment policy in Vietnam now provides couples the flexibility to decide their family size.
- The unemployment rate in Vietnam might see changes due to the alterations in the employment policy.
- The employment policy reform in Vietnam is expected to impact the workforce demographics in the near future.
- The recent change in the employment policy could attract businesses looking for a workforce that reflects a balanced family structure.
- The healthcare sector is anticipated to face adjustments as a result of the changed employment policy in Vietnam.
- The medical conditions and chronic diseases management in the country might be affected by the changes in the employment policy.
- Chronic kidney disease, COPD, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other respiratory conditions care could potentially be impacted by the employment policy changes.
- Digestive health, eye health, and hearing services may also experience changes due to the revised employment policy in Vietnam.
- The policy change could indirectly influence the overall health and wellness landscape in Vietnam.
- The fitness and exercise industry might see growth as more families strive for integrated family health.
- Family health, alzheimer's disease, autoimmune disorders, and mental health support services might experience demand shifts.
- Therapies and treatments for various medical conditions could see adjustments in response to the new employment policy.
- Nutrition and parenting services could see increased demand as families expand.
- Multiple sclerosis, migraine, and cardiovascular health services might experience shifts in demand.
- Psoriasis treatments could potentially experience changes due to the new employment policy.
- The industry is likely to adapt to the new market demands generated by the employment policy changes.
- Medicare policies could potentially undergo changes to cater to the widening demographic of families.
- CBD products might find increased acceptance in the Vietnamese market with the growing awareness of wellness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis treatments could see shifts in demand due to the alterations in the country's employment policy.
- Neurological disorders care services might face changes due to the new employment policy.
- Policy adjustments could impact breast cancer screening and care services in Vietnam.
- The financial sector is likely to experience changes as families adapt to larger family structures.
- Personal finance, wealth management, and banking and insurance services could see increased demand.
- The stock market and private equity investments might be influenced by changes in consumer spending patterns due to family size expansion.
- Saving, debt management, and budgeting strategies could change as families adjust to larger family sizes.
- Real estate, both commercial and residential, is expected to experience shifts in the housing market due to the changes in the employment policy.
