This marks the first year the birth rate in Ho Chi Minh City has increased after many consecutive years of sharp decline. In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has consistently recorded the lowest birth rate nationwide, significantly below Vietnam's replacement level (2-2,1 children per woman).

Following administrative mergers, Ho Chi Minh City became the country's most populous megacity with approximately 14 million people. After the initial merger with former Binh Duong and Ba Ria Vung Tau territories in July, Ho Chi Minh City's total birth rate stood at 1,43.

Pham Chanh Trung, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Population Sub-Department, stated at a conference on 27/12 to support the national action month on population, that the slight upward trend in the total birth rate is a positive signal after many years of continuous deep decline.

"However, this increase in the birth rate is not yet sufficient to reverse the prolonged low birth rate in the country's most populous city," Trung said. Encouragingly, the sex ratio at birth is estimated at 106,5 boys per 100 girls, indicating no imbalance.

In 2025, the city's population sector also met and exceeded several important targets, according to Dr. Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. The prenatal screening rate reached over 82%, and newborn screening surpassed 85%. The average life expectancy for city residents is approximately 76,7 years, higher than the national average.

Babies born at Hung Vuong Hospital. Photo: Hospital provided

Ho Chi Minh City still faces other demographic challenges, such as a rapid aging rate, while its young workforce is at risk of significant decline in the future. This directly impacts the city's ability to sustain economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. A prolonged low birth rate also accelerates population aging, creating immense pressure on social security, healthcare, and social insurance funds, as the number of beneficiaries increases rapidly while the contributing workforce tends to decrease.

To address the low birth rate, Ho Chi Minh City has recently introduced many new policies, including financial support of VND 5 million for women who have two children before age 35, implementing a comprehensive healthcare project, and pro-natalist solutions for the 2025-2030 period.

Le Phuong