Revised Population Ordinance: A driving force for a reasonable population structure

The revised Population Ordinance in 2025 is considered an important turning point, when our country's population policy officially shifts its focus from reducing births to adjusting appropriate birth rates, while improving population quality and promoting the golden population advantage. These changes are gradually coming into life, especially in remote and mountainous communes of the province.

Staff from My Thanh Health Station provided reproductive health counseling to Ms. Ban Thi Tam and her husband, residing in Phieng Kham village, Cam Giang commune.

Ms. Ban Thi Tam, from Phieng Kham village, Cam Giang commune, regularly visits My Thanh Health Station for weekly prenatal checkups. When the amended Population Ordinance was promulgated, Ms. Tam felt more at ease, because previously, having a third or fourth child often caused many families to hesitate.

Ms. Tam shared: "My husband and I both have stable jobs and good health, and we want to have more children to make our family bigger and happier. The new policy creates conditions for people to be proactive in their family planning, and the important thing is to raise our children well."

Ms. Hoang Thi Dao, also from Cam Giang commune, is pregnant with her third child and receives regular visits and guidance on reproductive health care from staff at the Quan Ha Health Station. Ms. Dao said: "I received basic information about the new Population Ordinance from the local health officials , so I know that the State now encourages having enough children, having them at the right time, and raising healthy children."

In reality, population work over the past years has yielded many noteworthy results. Propaganda activities aimed at maintaining population policies have focused on reducing birth rates, considering this a key solution to alleviate pressure on socio-economic development.

However, in the current period, with a sharp decline in birth rates in many areas and a rapid aging population, this policy is no longer appropriate. Instead, flexible adjustments are needed to suit new realities and sustainable development orientations.

One of the most significant legal changes is the amendment of Article 10 of the Population Ordinance, in Ordinance No. 07/2025/UBTVQH15 issued by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on June 3, 2025, effective from the same date of signing.

Specifically, the 2025 amended Ordinance removes the "one or two children" limit, replacing it with a broader provision that couples and individuals have the right to decide the number of children that is appropriate to factors such as age, health, educational and employment conditions, income, and child-rearing conditions, on an equal basis.

Accordingly, Guidance Document 15-HD/UBKTTW of 2025, effective from March 20, 2025, amends regulations on disciplinary action against Party members who violate population policy. According to Point 8.3, Section III of this Guidance Document, the act of having a third child will no longer be subject to disciplinary action against Party members. This Guidance Document reflects the Party's adjustment in the application of discipline, aligning with the current situation and population policy.

For the new policy to be effectively implemented, communication, advocacy, and organization at the grassroots level are crucial. Since the beginning of the year, Bach Thong Health Center has organized more than 60 direct communication sessions in the community, attracting nearly 4,000 participants, with women of childbearing age accounting for almost 70%. The content focused on reproductive health counseling, family planning, and the new regulations of the Population Ordinance.

According to Ms. Pham Thi Loan, Deputy Head of the Population, Communication and Health Education Department at Bach Thong Medical Center: The amendment of the Population Ordinance not only facilitates policy implementation but also helps the health sector promote awareness and adjust perceptions regarding responsible childbirth and gender equality. When each citizen understands and implements it correctly, the amended Population Ordinance will not only be a legal document but will become a driving force for a more rational, sustainable, and humane population structure.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202510/phap-lenh-dan-so-sua-doi-dong-luc-cho-co-cau-dan-so-hop-ly-4870cf9/