It's All About Numbers: Vietnam Scraps Two-Child Policy As Birth Rates Plummet
Vietnam scraps two-child policy due to decreasing birth numbers. - Vietnam scraps two-child limit due to declining birth rate.
In recent years, the baby boom in Vietnam has turned into a whispers-and-wishes situation. The last count dished up a rather alarming statistic — a mere 1.91 children per woman in 2024. This figure is significantly below the magic number required to sustain the population, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Health. Back in 2021, the birth rate was 2.11 children per woman, but it nosedived to 2.01 in 2022, and then plummeted further to 1.96 in 2023. It's worth noting that this downward trend is particularly pronounced in developed regions, and more notably in bustling cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where the cost of living is on a relentless upward spiral.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong recently acknowledged at a conference that despite nudges from the political sphere and media campaigns, it's becoming increasingly difficult to sway families to expand their brood. The precipitous decline in birth rate poses a daunting challenge to the nation's long-term socio-economic plans, given the pressures of an aging population and the looming specter of labor shortages, she stressed.
According to the deep-rooted cultural inclination towards boys in Vietnamese society, Vietnam deals with a gender imbalance as well. It is outright illegal to divulge the sex of a fetus before birth or to perform a sex-selective abortion. Clinics skirting this law face hefty fines. On a recent Tuesday, the Ministry of Health proposed escalating the penalty for such infractions to a whopping $3,800 (€3,340) to curb the issue.
Digging Deeper:
Vietnam's dipping birth rate casts a long shadow over various aspects of the nation's socio-economic health. The current total fertility rate of 1.91 children per woman poses concerns about the future reduction in the labor force and the forthcoming hurdles in economic growth[1][2][4]. The tightening financial noose in urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often compels families to scale back their parenting dreams to ensure that their offspring enjoy the best of education and upbringing[1][4].
In their determined bid to crack down on sex-selective abortion practices, Vietnam has proposed jacking up the fine for transgressors to $3,800, hoping to tacklc the gender imbalance issue[4]. Despite these attempts, the country continues to grapple with the persistence of these practices, fueled by cultural preferences for male offspring[4].
The declining birth rate and the accompanying surge in the number of elderly residents could potentially trigger a spike in healthcare expenditure and a decrease in economic productivity[1][4]. As the younger population dwindles, Vietnam may find itself in the grim grips of labor shortages, casting a shadow over its economic growth and development[4].
The decision to have fewer children frequently echoes economic pressures and the desire for a more comfortable family life, potentially leading to transformations in traditional family structures[4]. Gender imbalances may continue to persist, impacting social dynamics and marriage prospects[4].
To stimulate families into welcoming more babies, Vietnam could reconsider implementing incentives such as financial help, improved childcare assistance, and educational subsidies[1]. Strengthening laws and law enforcement against sex-selective practices is essential to maintain gender equilibrium and promote social fairness[4]. In essence, Vietnam's shrinking dynasty cries out for comprehensive policy action to tackle economic, social, and demographic challenges.
- Implementing comprehensive policies that include financial incentives, childcare assistance, and educational subsidies may help stimulate a higher birth rate in Vietnam, as the current employment policy might not be sufficient to counteract economic pressures and the desire for a comfortable family life.
- To address the gender imbalance issue in Vietnam, the implementation of stricter employment policies that discourage sex-selective abortions and punish clinics skirting the law with larger penalties, such as the proposed $3,800 fine, could help combat cultural preferences for male offspring, thus promoting social fairness and respect for health-and-wellness principles.
