Over the past three decades, since the International Conference on Population and Development, Vietnam has achieved many important achievements, making practical contributions to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, population work has contributed positively to economic growth, narrowing inequality and social progress, and improving the quality of life.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized this when speaking at the Rally to celebrate World Population Day on July 11, 2025 with the theme: "Reproductive autonomy in a changing world," solemnly organized by the Ministry of Health in coordination with the United Nations Population Fund Office in Vietnam on July 11 in Hanoi.
There are still many difficulties
The Minister of Health said that Vietnam has achieved many important results in population work such as: The population growth rate is controlled, Vietnam is in the "golden population structure" period, contributing to promoting economic growth, reducing the gap in income and living standards between regions and population groups.
The average life expectancy of the people will increase to 74.7 years (2024), higher than many countries with the same income level. Reproductive health care/family planning services, pre-marital counseling, prenatal and newborn screening for birth defects, elderly care... are increasingly strengthened and the quality of services improved.
However, the head of the health sector also said that, according to the assessment of 7 years of implementing Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW, besides the achieved results, Vietnam is facing many difficulties and challenges affecting the country's sustainable development.
That is, the total fertility rate has dropped to its lowest level in history and is forecast to continue to decline in the following years. Population change survey results April 1, 2024: In 2022, it was 2.01 children/woman, down to 1.96 children/woman in 2023 and 1.91 children/woman in 2024, the lowest in Vietnam's demographic history. Along with that, the population aging process is taking place at a rapid pace in Vietnam.
The rate of increase in the sex ratio at birth has been controlled but is not stable and is still high compared to the natural balance. Results of the population change survey on April 1, 2024: The sex ratio at birth in 2009 was 110.5 boys/100 girls; in 2019 it was 111.5 boys/100 girls and in 2024 it was 111.4 boys/100 girls. Pregnancy and childbirth among adolescent women tend to increase; early marriage and consanguineous marriage in the Central Highlands and the Northern Midlands and Mountains are still very high (21.9%).
The Minister of Health emphasized that the revised Population Ordinance 2025 has just been passed. In it, the right to reproductive autonomy of individuals and couples is respected, in accordance with health, conditions and completely voluntary. This spirit is consistent with the message of this year's World Population Day "Reproductive autonomy in a changing world".
Vietnamese law stipulates: Each couple and individual has the right to decide on the time of giving birth, the number of children and the interval between births in accordance with the age, health status, conditions of study, work, work, income and child-rearing of the couple and individual on the basis of equality. This provision is one of the contents that clearly shows the right to self-determination regarding reproduction.
Hope to receive cooperation from international organizations
Ms. Lan also said that the Ministry of Health is actively focusing on building the Population Law and the National Target Program on Health Care, Population and Development for the period 2026-2035 with the goal of ensuring social security, health and equality for all people based on the principle of taking people as the center, which is the goal of sustainable development of the country.
The Minister of Health requested that the Committees, Ministries, Branches, and People's Committees of provinces and cities continue to pay attention to leadership and budget allocation for population work, especially in the context of changing two-level local governments; at the same time, actively coordinate in the process of building the Population Law and the National Target Program on Health Care, Population and Development for the period 2026-2035.
Vietnam hopes to continue to receive close cooperation from international organizations, diplomatic missions of countries and the international community in the coming time to share and support in effectively addressing the trend of low birth rate and rapid population aging; at the same time, support in building and perfecting the Population Law.
At the rally, Ms. Pauline Fatima Tamesis - United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam said that the United Nations in Vietnam is committed to continuing to work closely with the Government in: ensuring universal access to quality reproductive health services; supporting the promotion of comprehensive population policies; expanding comprehensive age-appropriate sexuality education and youth-friendly services; and strengthening the data system to better serve planning and investment.
Mr. Matt Jackson - UNFPA Representative in Vietnam, through a summary presentation on the State of World Population Report 2025, acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in ensuring reproductive self-determination for everyone.
"There can be no sustainable development without reproductive autonomy," the UNFPA Representative emphasized. "By ensuring each person's right to choose, we are empowering families, promoting gender equality and unlocking the potential of population change."
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-da-dat-duoc-nhieu-ket-qua-quan-trong-trong-cong-tac-dan-so-post1049157.vnp
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