Vietnam's recent legislative change allows families to have more children, reversing decades of population control to address a record-low birthrate.
Vietnam Abolishes Two-Child Policy Amid Declining Birthrates
Vietnam Abolishes Two-Child Policy Amid Declining Birthrates
The country aims to combat low fertility rates that threaten economic stability.
Facing significant demographic challenges, Vietnam has officially terminated its longstanding two-child policy in a bid to enhance its declining fertility rate, which poses a risk to its economic future. This transformative measure, endorsed by the National Assembly, aligns with a shift that has already been embraced by many Vietnamese couples, thereby normalizing larger families across the nation.
This policy change culminates years of strict regulation instituted in 1988 which threatened careers and benefits for Communist Party members who chose to exceed the family size limit. The new regulation not only abolishes restrictions but actively promotes larger families as officials grapple with concerns over demographic sustainability. Vietnam's birthrate has plummeted to an unprecedented 1.91 children per woman, marking the third consecutive year the figure has dipped below the replacement level of 2.1.
Similar to other Asian nations, including China and Japan, Vietnam is confronting a troubling trajectory of decreased births. The United Nations Population Fund has highlighted that the nation is currently experiencing a demographic sweet spot with an ample working-age population, but this situation is shifting rapidly as trends indicate an impending population aging problem. The transition from an "aging" to an "aged" demographic is predicted to occur within the next 20 years.
In response to dwindling family sizes, authorities in Vietnam have launched various initiatives to encourage procreation, from dating shows to eye-catching propaganda posters aimed at the youth. In major urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City, where the fertility rate has sunk to an alarming 1.39, local governments have initiated financial incentives, such as a baby bonus of approximately $120 for mothers who give birth to two children before the age of 35, to stimulate population growth.
This policy change culminates years of strict regulation instituted in 1988 which threatened careers and benefits for Communist Party members who chose to exceed the family size limit. The new regulation not only abolishes restrictions but actively promotes larger families as officials grapple with concerns over demographic sustainability. Vietnam's birthrate has plummeted to an unprecedented 1.91 children per woman, marking the third consecutive year the figure has dipped below the replacement level of 2.1.
Similar to other Asian nations, including China and Japan, Vietnam is confronting a troubling trajectory of decreased births. The United Nations Population Fund has highlighted that the nation is currently experiencing a demographic sweet spot with an ample working-age population, but this situation is shifting rapidly as trends indicate an impending population aging problem. The transition from an "aging" to an "aged" demographic is predicted to occur within the next 20 years.
In response to dwindling family sizes, authorities in Vietnam have launched various initiatives to encourage procreation, from dating shows to eye-catching propaganda posters aimed at the youth. In major urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City, where the fertility rate has sunk to an alarming 1.39, local governments have initiated financial incentives, such as a baby bonus of approximately $120 for mothers who give birth to two children before the age of 35, to stimulate population growth.
