Ministry of Health proposes to support cash or in-kind for families having 2 daughters

(Dan Tri) - In order to reduce the gender imbalance at birth, the Ministry of Health believes that there should be financial incentives in cash or kind for families with only one child and two daughters.

This is the content of the draft Population Law that the Ministry of Health is developing. The draft is expected to be commented on and approved by the National Assembly at the 10th session taking place in October.

Birth rate in Vietnam drops sharply

From 2006 to 2021, Vietnam has achieved and maintained the replacement fertility rate; maintained an appropriate population growth rate. The population size in 2024 reached more than 101 million people. The average life expectancy of the people has been increasingly improved and reached 74.7 years in 2024.

However, Vietnam is facing difficulties and challenges such as a sharp decline in birth rates and rapid population aging (it is one of the countries with a rapid aging rate due to low birth rates).

The Ministry of Health proposes financial incentives for families with only one child and two daughters (Illustration: HK).

The results of the population change survey show that the birth rate in 2022 was 2.01 children/woman, decreasing to 1.96 children/woman in 2023 and 1.91 children/woman in 2024.

The gender imbalance at birth has not improved, the sex ratio at birth remains high. Specifically, the sex ratio at birth in 2009 was 110.5 boys/100 girls; in 2019 it was 111.5 boys/100 girls and in 2024 it was 111.4 boys/100 girls.

Pregnancy and childbirth among underage women tend to increase. The stature, physical strength, and quality of life of people in remote areas and ethnic minority areas are still limited compared to urban and delta areas...

Proposing many policies to reduce gender imbalance at birth

Therefore, the Ministry of Health is focusing on developing the Population Law and the Target Program for Health Care, Population and Development for the period 2026-2035. The goal of ensuring social security, health and equality for all people with the principle of taking people as the center is the goal of the country's sustainable development.

In the draft, the Ministry of Health proposed many policies focusing on some contents such as preferential maternity leave; cash or in-kind support when giving birth; support for pregnant women and women giving birth during prenatal and newborn screening...

At the same time, there are financial incentives in cash or in kind for families with only one child and two daughters; regulations on measures to reduce gender imbalance at birth are appropriate for each locality and the whole country.

The draft also focuses on stipulating other support measures and policies to maintain replacement fertility; reduce gender imbalance at birth and bring the sex ratio at birth back to natural balance; adapt to population aging and improve population quality.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan (Photo: BTC).

Speaking at the rally in response to World Population Day (July 11), Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that the revised Population Ordinance 2025 has just been passed. In it, the right to self-determination on reproduction of individuals and couples is respected, in accordance with health, conditions and completely voluntary.

The Minister also requested that departments, ministries, branches, and People's Committees of provinces and cities continue to pay attention to leadership and budget allocation for population work.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/bo-y-te-de-xuat-ho-tro-tien-mat-hoac-hien-vat-gia-dinh-sinh-2-con-gai-20250712121911013.htm