Vietnam has officially scrapped its long-standing two-child policy as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a declining birth rate and an aging population, according to reports from state media on Wednesday.
The move, announced by the state-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA), signals a major shift in the country’s population control policy, which for decades has aimed to limit families to no more than two children. From now on, the number of children a couple chooses to have will be a personal decision, rather than a state-regulated one.
“The decision on the number of children is now a decision for each individual couple,” VNA reported, quoting a statement from authorities.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health raised concerns earlier this year about the country’s “historically” low fertility levels. In 2024, the total fertility rate dropped to just 1.91 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to sustain population levels without immigration.
This trend follows a steady decline in recent years: the fertility rate stood at 2.11 in 2021, then fell to 2.01 in 2022, and further to 1.96 in 2023.
Experts have warned that the sustained drop in birth rates could lead to serious economic and social challenges in the coming decades, including labor shortages, increased pressure on healthcare and pension systems, and a shrinking tax base. Vietnam’s population is currently around 100 million, but without intervention, the demographic imbalance could place a heavy burden on the nation’s future growth and productivity.
Despite the policy change, societal and economic factors may still hinder a significant increase in birth rates. Young professionals, especially in urban areas, increasingly cite financial pressures, career priorities, and changing cultural values as reasons for delaying or foregoing parenthood altogether.
Tran Minh Huong, a 22-year-old office worker in Hanoi, told AFP that the change in government policy is unlikely to alter her personal plans. “Even though I am an Asian, with social norms that say women need to get married and have kids, it’s too costly to raise a child,” she said.
Vietnam’s move mirrors broader demographic trends seen in other East and Southeast Asian countries, such as China, South Korea, and Japan, all of which have struggled with declining birth rates despite loosening or ending similar population control measures.
The lifting of the two-child restriction is expected to be accompanied by government efforts to encourage childbirth and support young families. While specific incentives have not yet been announced, measures could include financial subsidies, parental leave policies, and expanded access to childcare services.
As Vietnam enters a new phase in its demographic strategy, officials and experts alike are watching closely to see whether the end of the two-child policy will be enough to reverse the downward trajectory, or whether deeper societal shifts are needed to convince young couples to grow their families.
Written By Rodney Mbua
