Vietnam's New Family Planning Rules: What It Means for the Future

Vietnam has made a significant change to its family planning rules. The country has decided to do away with its long-standing two-child policy. This shift comes as Vietnam deals with a drop in birth rates and a shrinking workforce. Lawmakers in Vietnam have updated the Population Law, giving families the freedom to choose how many children they want. This policy change is a big deal because it marks a departure from the strict rules that have been in place since 2009. The old policy limited families to one or two children, with stricter enforcement for government officials and Communist Party members. Vietnam's population is around 100 million, with most people in the working-age range of 15 to 64. However, the fertility rate has dropped to 1. 91 children per woman, which is the lowest in recent history and below the replacement level. If this trend continues, Vietnam's "golden population" period, where the working-age population outnumbers dependents, could end in just 15 years. The decision to scrap the two-child policy has sparked mixed reactions. Some people are happy about the change, while others are worried about the costs of raising children. For instance, a couple in Hanoi, Tran Phuong Mai and Nguyen Manh Hung, had to make tough choices due to the old policy. They had their third child after Mai's husband resigned from his government job to avoid trouble. Now, they feel it's too late for them to have more children, and the cost of raising a child is a significant concern. Sociologists point out that raising a child from birth to age 22 can cost between 10 to 20 million Vietnamese dong per month, which is more than the average monthly income. The Health Minister, Dao Hong Lan, mentioned that several countries have abandoned birth control policies, aligning with international practices. For example, China ended its one-child policy in 2016 and now allows couples to have up to three children. Vietnam is not alone in facing challenges with an aging population. Many countries struggle with this issue. Jonathan London, a senior economic advisor, highlighted that Vietnam needs to support children and families, especially women, to address population aging effectively. Lawmakers are also tackling sex imbalances caused by prenatal gender selection, proposing higher fines for pre-birth sex selection. The new policy is a step forward, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Vietnam needs to implement other supports for families and women to make a real difference. This includes addressing the high costs of child-rearing and promoting gender equality. Only with a comprehensive approach can Vietnam successfully navigate its demographic challenges.