I only started thinking about getting married after I turned 30.

Many young people choose to marry later and keep pets as companions rather than just as a hobby - Photo: NGAN HA

There have been concerns that this increase will lead to many negative consequences. Pham Chanh Trung, Head of the Population and Family Planning Department of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the city is currently aiming to encourage childbirth but is doing so cautiously and must base its actions on the legitimate needs and aspirations of the people.

To promote fertility, the most important thing is to provide support to couples of marriageable and childbearing age, helping them raise their children in the best possible conditions for development.

Master's Degree holder PHAM CHANH TRUNG

Crossing the 30-year mark

* Ho Chi Minh City has a low birth rate. How do you view the current trend of young people in the city being hesitant to marry and have children?

- The average age for first marriage in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023 was 30.4, according to data recorded by the General Statistics Office, exceeding the 30-year mark. This figure has shown a continuous upward trend from 2019 to 2022, with an average increase of 0.7 years per year. Specifically, the figures were 27.5, 28, 29, and 29.8 years for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively.

Along with reluctance to marry, the trend of being reluctant to have children is also gradually becoming more common. In 2023, the birth rate decreased significantly compared to 10 years earlier. The total fertility rate in 2023 was approximately 1.32 children per woman, while in 2013 it was 1.68 children per woman.

This indicates that Ho Chi Minh City's fertility rate is very low compared to other provinces and cities nationwide. Specialized statistics show that the city's total fertility rate has been below the replacement level (2.1 children per woman) since before 2010. In 2024, Ho Chi Minh City aims to maintain the total fertility rate at 1.36 children per woman.

* What do you think are the reasons why young people are hesitant to get married and have children?

There are many reasons for these two trends, especially the reluctance to have a second child. Psychologically and socially, the causes can include economic pressures, job competition, and the desire of couples to provide the best possible care for their children.

Many couples prefer to marry later, have fewer children, and focus their financial resources, time, and health on caring for and investing in their children. Education and career development also influence many people's decisions about having children.

Many young couples, especially women, who decide to postpone marriage will have more time to improve their education and professional skills, and seize opportunities for personal development.

In terms of reproductive health, the incidence of difficulty conceiving, primary infertility, and secondary infertility tends to increase. Late marriage is associated with a gradual decline in women's fertility with age, especially after 35.

It is important to improve the quality of the population.

* Based on our discussion, what will be the consequences if this situation continues?

- Ho Chi Minh City is among the 21 provinces and cities with the lowest birth rates in the country. Everyone knows that a declining birth rate will have a strong impact on the future population structure. The proportion of young people and those of working age will decrease, while the proportion of the elderly will increase.

A severely declining population leads to a labor shortage, impacting productivity and economic development. Declining birth rates and a rapid aging population place immense pressure on the social security and welfare systems, as well as on human resources and the significant costs of caring for the elderly.

* How has Ho Chi Minh City been addressing this issue, sir?

- Ho Chi Minh City is taking cautious steps in adjusting the birth rate based on observations of experiences in other countries around the world , as well as input from experts and feedback from citizens through various media channels.

The city's population sector is starting with the most basic activity: communication, conveying messages about low birth rates and their consequences to the people and society so that everyone can better understand the issue of low birth rates.

Currently, the city has a policy of promoting childbirth, but it is being considered carefully, consulting with experts in the field of population, and most importantly, it stems from the legitimate needs and aspirations of the people. This is because childbirth is a resource for future socio-economic development, consistent with the most important goal of population policy, which is to improve the quality of the population.

The Ho Chi Minh City Population and Family Planning Department has advised on the draft population policy for Ho Chi Minh City until 2030, chaired by the Department of Health, to be submitted to the City People's Council at the next session in 2024.

I can offer a few suggestions such as providing financial assistance for hospital expenses (co-payments in addition to those covered by health insurance) for couples having their second child before the age of 35, and subsidizing pre-marital health check-up costs...

There are also positive aspects.

On the positive side, the trend of young people being hesitant to marry and have children can be tentatively explained by the fact that young people tend to focus on improving their quality of life and developing their careers.

Not to mention, having fewer children allows parents to invest more in raising and educating their children, ensuring the best conditions for their development.

This also somewhat reduces the economic pressure on families, allowing them to allocate more resources to education, healthcare, and other activities that improve their quality of life.

Mr. Pham Chanh Trung also believes that this trend encourages research and the search for solutions to adapt to the actual situation in social policies and services.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ngoai-30-moi-tinh-chuyen-ket-hon-2024071823254522.htm