When Party members are no longer afraid…of having more children

(PLVN) - For many Party members, having a third child used to be a "difficult topic to discuss," not because of shame, but because of fear of disciplinary action, fear of affecting their work, unit, or organization... But since the regulations on disciplinary action were lifted, many have felt relieved. They not only feel more respected, but also feel that the policy is becoming more relatable and empathetic to real life.

Removing invisible barriers

Sitting in her small office at a Hanoi agency, Ms. Nguyen Mong Hoai – a cadre and Party member – still vividly remembers her decision to have a third child many years ago. It was a choice stemming from the wishes of her entire family, but also a decision that caused her considerable anxiety.

"My husband and I thought it through carefully and accepted the possibility of disciplinary action. Even so, I still can't shake off the feeling of guilt… because as a party member, I did something that went against the rules," she recounted.

For her, the most agonizing thing wasn't the reprimand itself, but the worry that the collective effort would be negatively impacted by incomplete performance in the emulation campaign. "I don't want my personal issues to cause problems for the unit. But there are things my heart can't help but do," she said, her voice softening before a faint smile, as if to encapsulate the entire period that had passed.

However, since reading Guidance Document No. 03-HD/UBKTTW issued on March 20, 2025, by the Central Inspection Committee , which states that Party members who have a third child will no longer be subject to disciplinary action, Ms. Hoai felt a great weight lifted from her heart.

According to these guidelines, having a third child is no longer considered a violation, in line with current population policy and laws. Not only does this remove a major ideological barrier for many party members, but it also reflects a shift in the Party's approach: from administrative command-based management to respecting individual choices based on real-life situations.

“When I read that document, I was truly moved. I no longer felt like someone ‘ with a blemish ,’ but instead saw that the organization shared, listened, and respected the very ordinary choices of each person,” Ms. Hoai expressed. She added jokingly, “Looking back, I feel like I was… ahead of my time. Even though it’s just a personal matter, I believe people like me have contributed a small part to changing societal perceptions about having children in the context of an aging population.”

It's not just Ms. Hoai; many other party members also believe that the new policy is a reasonable and appropriate step. According to Ms. Nguyen Thanh Nhi, another official and party member working in Hanoi, this is a humane decision that is in line with reality.

"Many families now have the means and desire to have more children, but previously they hesitated due to the constraints of family discipline. Now, the policy has created more comfort and peace of mind, while also contributing to the continuation of the lineage and supplementing the country's workforce," Nhi commented.

From an organizational perspective, Ms. Nhi believes that when party members are trusted and understood, they are even more motivated to uphold their integrity, contribute, and remain committed in the long term.

Sharing a similar viewpoint, many party members who were previously hesitant about having children are now openly expressing their desire to have more children without fear of being labeled as violating regulations. "Not everyone who has a third child does so out of ignorance or recklessness. Many people, like me, have plans, the means, and see it as a personal happiness that deserves respect. Now that the organization understands that, I feel relieved," shared Ms. Pham Thi Van, a teacher at a primary school in Vinh Phuc .

Policies that keep pace with reality and respond to population aging.

The issuance of Guidance Document No. 03-HD/UBKTTW is not merely an amendment to an administrative document, but also reflects a shift in population management thinking. Accordingly, the provisions on disciplinary action against Party members for having a third child in Guidance Document No. 05/2022 have been abolished, paving the way for a new approach that is more in line with reality.

This is a necessary adjustment given that Vietnam's birth rate is sharply declining and has reached its lowest level in history.

According to the Ministry of Health, the national fertility rate has decreased from 2.11 children per woman in 2021 to 1.91 in 2024, placing Vietnam among the top 5 countries with the lowest fertility rates in Southeast Asia.

Without timely solutions, it is projected that Vietnam will end its demographic dividend by 2039. The working-age population will peak in 2042, and after 2054, population growth will turn negative. The consequences will include labor shortages, rapid aging, and serious impacts on socio-economic development, and even national defense and security.

In a related development, the Ministry of Health is drafting amendments to Article 10 of the Population Ordinance, with a key emphasis on empowering each couple and individual to decide when to have children, the number of children, and the spacing between births.

According to the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of the Party and the State, with the coordinated efforts of all levels and sectors and the consensus of the people, population work in Vietnam has achieved significant results over the years. From 2006 to 2021, the country maintained the replacement fertility rate, and the population size in 2023 reached over 104 million people, exceeding the target set for 2030. Vietnam is currently in a period of demographic dividend, with the quality of the population continuously improving, average life expectancy increasing, and the Human Development Index (HDI) consistently rising.

However, these results are also facing the risk of being overshadowed by a rapid and prolonged decline in fertility rates. According to the Ministry of Health, the national fertility rate has decreased from 2.11 children per woman in 2021 to 1.91 in 2024, the lowest in history. Fertility rates in urban areas currently hover around 1.7-1.8 children per woman, while in rural areas, where fertility rates were previously higher, they have also fallen to 2.07 in 2023, for the first time below the replacement level.

If this trend continues, Vietnam is projected to end its demographic dividend period in 2039; the working-age population will peak in 2042; and after 2054, it will enter a period of negative population growth. This will lead to labor shortages, accelerated population aging, and negative impacts on socio-economic development. Given this situation, the Ministry of Health believes that amending the law is necessary.

The Politburo's change in policy to not discipline party members for having a third child not only removes outdated restrictions but also affirms a new mindset: respecting individual choices within the framework of the law, in harmony with the goal of sustainable national development.

Thanh Ha

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/khi-dang-vien-khong-con-so-sinh-them-con-post543593.html