Vietnam’s fertility rate fell to 1.91 children per woman in 2024 down from 1.96 in 2023, and well-below the 2.1 replacement rate needed. This has been raised as a concern in the context of its impact on Vietnam’s labour supply.
Vietnam Plus is covering the issue by looking at the root causes. It’s citing Le Thanh Dung, Director of the Department of Population, saying that couples are waiting longer to have children in order to pursue higher education and career development, as well as due to economic pressures.
Notably, there have been some policies put in place to tackle low birth rates with Ho Chi Minh City receiving a lot of attention for a plan to reward women under 35 that have two children with VND 3 million (about US$120). However, Tuoi Tre is citing Pham Chanh Trung, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Population Department, as saying this scheme is unlikely to have an impact on birthrates.
Phap Luat on the other hand is carrying comments from Hoang Thi Diem Tuyet, Director of Hung Vuong Hospital, who is calling on health insurance companies to cover the cost of fertility treatment. This article does, however, go on to explore fertility treatments in the medical tourism space and the point becomes a little confused.
See also: Human Resources in Vietnam