Fewer births accelerate population aging

In a recent report by the General Statistics Office, our country currently has 14.2 million people aged 60 and over. By 2030, this number will increase to approximately 18 million people, higher than previous forecasts.

Since 2011, Vietnam has begun the process of population aging and is one of the countries with the fastest aging population in the world .

Doctors examine the eyes of elderly people at the Hoa Xuan Tay Ward Health Station (Dong Hoa Town). Photo: MANH LE TRAM

Rapid population aging

In 2024, the number of people aged 60 and over was 14.2 million, an increase of 2.8 million compared to 2019 and 4.7 million compared to 2014. It is projected that by 2030, the number of people aged 60 and over will reach approximately 18 million. This figure is higher than the previous forecast (17.2 million). Mr. Le Thanh Dung, Director of the Population Department ( Ministry of Health ), stated that by 2038, which is only 13 years away, one in five Vietnamese people will be over 60 years old.

The Ministry of Health assesses that Vietnam is experiencing rapid aging due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. Accordingly, life expectancy in Vietnam continues to increase, reaching 74.5 years in 2023 – nearly one year higher than the average of the previous four years; and is projected to increase further to 74.6 years in 2024. Meanwhile, Vietnam's birth rate is steadily declining. According to the results of the 2024 mid-term census and housing survey, Vietnam's total fertility rate is 1.91 children per woman, a further decrease from the record low of 2023 (1.96). This is the lowest birth rate ever observed. The total fertility rate in urban areas is 1.67 children per woman, lower than in rural areas (2.08 children per woman). A total of 32 provinces and cities have birth rates below the replacement level (below 2.1 children per woman). There are 25 provinces and cities with fertility rates fluctuating around the replacement level, and 6 localities with fertility rates higher than the replacement level (more than 2.5 children per woman).

Phu Yen is also experiencing population aging (in 2023: the percentage of people over 60 years old was 14.2%, and over 65 years old was 9.8%). The Department of Health requests that relevant agencies and localities effectively carry out propaganda and education work, and organize activities to promote, educate, and care for the health of the elderly.

For Phu Yen province, which is currently experiencing population aging (in 2023: the percentage of people over 60 years old was 14.2%, and over 65 years old was 9.8%). The Department of Health requests that relevant agencies and localities effectively carry out propaganda and education work, and organize activities to promote, educate, and care for the health of the elderly.

According to data from the Tay Hoa District Health Center, the entire district has 20,121 people aged 60 and above (accounting for 14.43% of the population), which shows that Tay Hoa is in the process of population aging, and the need for healthcare for the elderly is enormous.

Hoa Xuan Tay Ward (Dong Hoa Town) has 1,000 elderly people. The Health Department is disseminating knowledge about physical exercise, strengthening health, and disease prevention. General practitioner Nguyen Thi Loc, Head of the Hoa Xuan Tay Ward Health Station, said: The health station conducts regular health check-ups for the elderly to create health records, and through this, guides them on disease prevention, treatment, and self-care skills, especially for common illnesses, so that the elderly know how to prevent diseases.

Son Hoa District has 6,552 people aged 60 and above (accounting for 10.04% of the population). Regarding elderly care, the district has seen over 8,672 elderly people receive examinations and treatment for various illnesses. In addition, the District Health Center has organized communication, counseling, and dissemination of knowledge and skills on health care for 350 elderly people.

Newborn baby. Photo: INTERNET

Healthcare for the elderly

In addition to recommending improvements in policies for the efficient use of the labor supply, especially older workers, long-term solutions to increase the retirement age should be studied. According to the General Statistics Office, the social insurance system needs to be expanded by promoting the implementation of a multi-tiered, multi-pillar social insurance system. This aims to increase the comprehensive coverage of the system, contributing to raising the living standards of beneficiaries and reducing the burden on the state budget.

Along with that, the healthcare system and the quality of long-term healthcare services for the elderly need attention. Accordingly, the strategy should focus on adequately preparing for old age financially and health from an early stage; encouraging young, economically active populations to participate in social insurance to better prepare for old age. This will help this group have a pension, avoid the constant struggle to earn money, and be more satisfied with life, according to the General Statistics Office.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Cu, former Director of the Institute of Population and Social Issues at the National Economics University, shared that starting to worry about old age at 36 is already a bit late. Because if young people don't consciously take care of their health, smoking and drinking alcohol from the age of 16 or 18, then by the age of 36, they will have accumulated 20 years of bad habits, which will certainly affect their health and increase the risk of disease.

Mr. Huynh Le Xuan Bich, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, said: The Department of Health has developed a plan to adapt to population aging and promote healthcare for the elderly. Accordingly, the department requires health centers in districts, towns, and cities to coordinate with local authorities to effectively carry out propaganda and education work to raise awareness about population aging. Relevant departments will promote and create a movement among the general public, and especially the elderly, to regularly exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle, have a balanced diet, and improve self-care and disease prevention skills for the elderly.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/xa-hoi/202504/sinh-it-day-toc-do-gia-hoa-dan-so-them-nhanh-ddf08ee/