The sex ratio at birth is high, in some places nearly 120 boys/100 girls.

UNFPA representative speaking at the event - Photo: VGP/HM

This information was given at a workshop to announce the first National Report on Civil Registration and Statistics for the period 2021 - 2024 held in Hanoi on April 25.

This report was developed by the General Statistics Office based on the national electronic civil status database, with effective support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Global Public Health Organization.

The report provides a picture of the national birth, death and marriage registration situation, as well as a number of other population issues, and calls for action to ensure no one is left behind.

Specifically, the Report shows that Vietnam has made significant progress in birth registration, with the rate of on-time birth registration (within 60 days of birth) increasing steadily each year and reaching 84.9% in 2024. However, late birth registration remains common among some ethnic minority groups, reaching up to 56%.

Similar to birth registration, the rate of timely death registration (within 15 days of death) accounts for a high proportion of 69.3% in 2024, while late death registration is still common in ethnic minority areas, up to nearly 80%.

Delegates attending the event - Photo: VGP/HM

The report also provides important findings on trends in fertility, mortality and marriage. The total fertility rate is falling and – below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman – remains skewed. Meanwhile, the sex ratio at birth remains skewed and has been for many years, far exceeding the normal level of 104–106 boys per 100 girls.

At the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the Department of Population Statistics and Changes, said that in the period 2021-2024, the sex ratio at birth in our country was 109.8 boys/100 girls. In 2024 alone, this ratio was 110.7 boys/100 girls.

In particular, the high sex ratio at birth is common in some provinces and cities in the Northern region, the Red River Delta such as Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Bac Giang , Hai Duong, Son La, Lang Son, Phu Tho... Some localities even recorded the sex ratio at birth at nearly 120 boys/100 girls.

For provinces and cities in the Southern region, the sex ratio at birth is between 105-108 boys/100 girls.

Accurate and timely data is the foundation of a strong health system and effective policies - Photo: VGP/HM

The average life expectancy of Vietnamese people is 69.5 years old.

The report at the conference also pointed out that the average age of Vietnamese women giving birth is gradually increasing. There is a big difference in the average age of mothers giving birth according to the mother's ethnicity.

Chinese and Kinh women have the highest average age at giving birth, at 29.9 years and 29.4 years, respectively, 6 to 7 years higher than women of many other ethnic groups such as La Ha (23.2 years), Co Lao (23.3 years), La Hu (23.7 years), Hre (23.8 years), and Xinh Mun (23.9 years).

Regarding mortality, the average age of death of the Vietnamese population in the period 2021 - 2024 is 69.5 years old and there is a large gender gap. Specifically, the average age of death for men is 64.6 years old and for women is 75.6 years old.

The majority of deaths in 2024 will be due to disease or old age (95.2% of all recorded deaths).

Mr. Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam shared that when collected accurately, data will help us understand which policies are working, who is being missed and what we need to do to build a more inclusive data system for everyone. UNFPA is committed to continuing to work to ensure that every person counts and every life matters.

Accelerating digital transformation, preparing for future population changes

Sharing about these important figures, Ms. Do Thi Ngoc, Deputy Director of the General Statistics Office, Ministry of Finance emphasized that for the first time, we can use complete and updated civil status data to conduct statistical analysis of births, deaths and marriages nationwide. This is a very important milestone.

Ms. Ngoc also said that, according to the report, although there are still disparities between ethnic groups and regions in household registration work, the analysis results have simultaneously confirmed that the Government's investment in digital transformation in the household registration system is bringing about efficiency.

"In the coming time, improving the timeliness and accuracy of data will be a key factor so that everyone is reflected in the data system, ensuring that no one is left behind," the representative of the Ministry of Finance emphasized.

Ms. Gurpreet Kaur Rai, Regional Technical Advisor of the Public Health Organization’s Data Impact Program, shared that with this report, Vietnam has set a good example in the region in analyzing and using civil registration data for data-driven decision making. Accurate and timely data is the foundation of a strong health system and effective policies.

As recommended by the Report, in the coming time, we need to continue investing in upgrading the technology of the national electronic civil registration system, increase training for grassroots registration officers and promote access to vulnerable groups. Deeper integration with national databases on population, health and education is also necessary to maximize the benefits of civil registration data.

As Vietnam accelerates its digital transformation and prepares for future demographic changes, its civil registration and census systems will continue to serve as a foundation for effective governance, human rights, and inclusive development.

Thuy Ha

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/ty-so-gioi-tinh-khi-sinh-o-muc-cao-co-noi-gan-120-tre-trai-100-tre-gai-102250425114612418.htm