In brief
Vietnam's National Assembly has officially revoked its long-standing two-child policy, encouraging families to have more children amid slipping birth rates. The decision reflects growing concerns about Vietnam's demographic balance as the nation, home to 100 million people, sees a continuing decline in fertility. The average birth rate has fallen to 1.91 children per woman, below the replacement threshold of 2.1, for the third straight year. In Ho Chi Minh City, the rate is alarmingly lower at 1.39.
This policy shift marks a significant cultural pivot from the time the restrictive measures were introduced in 1988, which included serious penalties for party members who breached the limit. Under the new regulation, all families can now choose the number of children they wish to have without penalty. Government officials are even incentivizing procreation, fearing that fewer births will lead to a labor shortage as the country ages.Recognizing that the demographic landscape is undergoing rapid changes, Vietnam is proactively trying to address the issue through various measures, including monetary incentives like a baby bonus to encourage births, particularly in urban areas. With a youthful population now in place, the urgency to act becomes more pressing as studies suggest Vietnam will transition to an older population within two decades. The government's initiatives may also include new dating programs and promotional campaigns aimed at encouraging larger families to bolster future birth rates. Overall, the lifting of the two-child policy marks an effort by Vietnam to secure its economic future by ensuring a robust workforce and stable demographic growth.
