Ho Chi Minh City's average life expectancy is projected to reach 76,7 years in 2025, a significant increase from 66 years in 1979, and two years above the national average. For 2024, the figure stands at 76,6 years. Pham Chanh Trung, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Population Sub-department, announced on 28/12 that this upward trend is attributed to improved population quality and the integrated implementation of health screening and care programs across the city.

Recognizing the rapid aging of its population, Ho Chi Minh City has made elderly care a priority. Since last year, the city pioneered free health check-ups for all residents over 60 years old. This initiative aims to identify disease patterns, facilitate early detection of non-communicable diseases for timely intervention, and ultimately reduce treatment costs. In 2025, community health centers at ward and commune levels examined and created electronic health records for over 270.700 elderly individuals, achieving 28,5% of the annual plan.

Elderly residents in Ho Chi Minh City participate in day-care nursing services at a hospital. Photo: Quynh Tran

Beyond the efforts of the healthcare sector, 102 "Elderly Helping Elderly" clubs, along with volunteer groups, are actively supporting thousands of lonely elderly individuals in the community. The population sector observes that increasing life expectancy coupled with a low birth rate places Ho Chi Minh City among the top areas nationwide for both the rate of aging and the number of elderly residents. This demographic shift places significant pressure on the social security system, requiring community healthcare to adapt for chronic disease management and long-term care.

In addition to life expectancy figures, Ho Chi Minh City this year achieved several important targets, such as: raising the total fertility rate to 1,51 children per woman, balancing the birth sex ratio, and expanding disease screening programs.

To address the aging trend, the Department of Health is advising the city People's Committee on developing a comprehensive elderly care system for the 2025-2030 period. The city aims to develop a multi-tiered model, including: home care, day-care, inpatient care, and end-of-life care. This solution helps elderly individuals access services appropriate to their health conditions while reducing the burden on higher-level hospitals.

Le Phuong