The Ministry of Health developed this proposal within the draft Law on Population, as Vietnam's population faces numerous challenges, including a record low birth rate and a severe imbalance in the sex ratio at birth.

In 2024, the national average birth rate was only 1.91 children per woman, the lowest in Vietnam's demographic history, and is projected to decline further in the coming years. If the birth rate continues to fall, Vietnam will exit its "golden population" period by 2039, the working-age population will peak in 2042, and the overall population will begin to decline after 2054.

Birth rates vary across different demographics based on education and living standards, with higher birth rates among poorer women with lower education levels and lower birth rates among women with higher incomes and education.

Simultaneously, the sex ratio at birth remains alarmingly high, at 111.4 boys per 100 girls. Without significant intervention, Vietnam will have a surplus of approximately 1.5 million men of marriageable age by 2034, potentially reaching 2.5 million by 2059.

"This gender imbalance is projected to have long-term consequences. A portion of men will face difficulties in finding partners, leading to potential increases in women trafficking, prostitution, gender-based violence, and transnational crime," the Ministry of Health assesses.

Two babies born at Tu Du Hospital. Photo: Ngoc Ngan. *

To address this situation, the Ministry of Health proposes several measures with a total estimated budget of over 5,365 billion VND. These groundbreaking policies aim to maintain the replacement birth rate and include: an additional month of leave beyond the standard maternity leave period; 5 extra days of leave for fathers upon the birth of their child; cash or in-kind assistance for women upon childbirth, for having two children, and specifically for having two children before 35; living expense support; subsidized meals for preschool children; and waived or reduced fees for regular prenatal checkups.

Of this budget, 650 billion VND is allocated for cash or in-kind assistance to women who have two children before 35. Supporting women who have a second child with an additional month of maternity leave is estimated to cost 1,312 billion VND. Waiving or reducing fees for regular prenatal checkups will cost approximately 24.3 billion VND.

Specifically, the Ministry of Health has allocated approximately 151.8 billion VND for financial support to families with two daughters to encourage a balanced sex ratio at birth. The Ministry also proposes premarital counseling and health checkups, prenatal and newborn screening, with a total budget of several trillion VND.

According to the Ministry of Health, these measures aim to provide women with more time for childcare, support fathers in their family roles, reduce the costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth, and encourage having two children, especially before the age of 35. These are timely interventions by the government to prevent a further decline in the birth rate.

Declining birth rates are not unique to Vietnam but affect many countries globally, including China, South Korea, and Japan. These countries are implementing various policies to encourage births, but no nation has yet achieved complete success, according to Doctor Mai Xuan Phuong, former Deputy Head of Communication and Education at the General Department of Population, now the Department of Population (Ministry of Health). To increase the birth rate and ensure sustainable population growth, two crucial factors are practical support policies and a shift in social perceptions.

"Regarding policies, financial and welfare support for families with children is essential, such as child allowances, especially for the second child, and tax reductions for families with young children. Housing assistance and preferential home loans for families with young children are also important," Phuong said.

Furthermore, changing social perceptions to encourage childbirth and eliminate the fear of having children is crucial. Shifting the perception of men's roles so that childcare is seen as a shared responsibility, not solely the mother's burden, will help alleviate pressure on women.

Additionally, guiding young people on the value of family and having children is essential, helping them understand that having children is a responsibility, obligation, and right. Therefore, sex education and parenting skills should be taught from high school to prepare young people for marriage and family life.

Le Nga