This proposal to reverse the low birth rate is part of the draft Population Law meant to respond to Vietnam's growing demographic challenges, including a historic decline in fertility and a worsening gender imbalance at birth.

Two newborn babies at Tu Du Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

In 2024 the nation's fertility rate had dropped to just 1.91 children per woman, the lowest in the country's history, and is forecast to continue falling.

If the trend persists, Vietnam is expected to relinquish its "golden" population period by 2039, reach its peak working-age population by 2042 and face a population decline after 2054.

Fertility rates vary by education and income levels, with higher birth rates seen among poorer and less educated women.

The gender ratio at birth remains alarmingly skewed, reaching 111.4 boys for every 100 girls last year.

Without robust intervention, Vietnam could face a surplus of 1.5 million marriage-age men by 2034, rising to 2.5 million by 2059.

The ministry warned: "This gender imbalance is projected to have long-term consequences. A segment of men may struggle to find spouses, leading to issues such as human trafficking, prostitution, gender-based violence, and transnational crime."

To address the challenges, the ministry has proposed a set of measures that will cost an estimated VND5.365 trillion (US$210 million).

An estimated VND1.312 trillion would be required to subsidize extended maternity leave for second births.

Subsidies for prenatal check-ups will cost around VND24.3 billion.

The ministry also plans to earmark VND151.8 billion in financial support for families with two daughters to help address the gender imbalance.

Other initiatives include funding for premarital counseling and prenatal and newborn screening, whose costs could top trillions of dong.

According to the ministry, such support will give women more time to care for their children, encourage men to share family responsibilities, reduce financial burdens during pregnancy and childbirth, and promote childbirth.

Falling birth rates are not unique to Vietnam, and countries like China, South Korea, and Japan are also grappling with similar issues and have introduced various pronatalist policies, though none have seen clear success so far, according to Mai Xuan Phuong, former deputy director of the department of communication and education at the Ministry of Health's General Office for Population.

He emphasized two key factors in increasing birth rates and ensuring sustainable population growth: practical support policies and shifting societal mindsets.

"In terms of policy, there must be financial support and welfare for families with children, such as childbirth allowances, especially for second children, tax reductions, housing assistance, and favorable home loans for families with young children."

Equally important is changing public attitudes to reduce fears around having children, he said.

Society must shift its perception of parenting toward a shared responsibility between both parents rather than placing the full burden on women, he said.

Young people need to be guided on the value of family and childbirth so that they understand that "having children is a responsibility, duty and right."

This includes introducing sex education and parenting skills at the high school level to help youths develop the mindset and preparation needed for marriage and raising children.

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