Vietnam has officially scrapped its decades-old two-child policy, marking a policy shift as the country grapples with a declining birth rate. The change was approved by the National Assembly Standing Committee in Hanoi, according to state-run Vietnam News Agency. Couples across the nation are now free to decide how many children they want, as well as when and how far apart to have them, ending a restriction that has shaped family planning for over three decades.Introduced in 1988, the two-child policy aimed to curb population growth, as Vietnam’s total fertility rate had exceeded four births per woman. Over the years, there has been a strict enforcement, including financial penalties, reduced bonuses, and even job dismissals.
Now, with the fertility rate falling below replacement level for the third consecutive year, authorities are taking a different stance. Data from the Ministry of Health show that Vietnam’s total fertility rate decreased from 2.11 in 2021 to 1.96 in 2023, with a record low of 1.91 children per woman reported in December 2023. A rate of 2.1 is generally considered necessary to maintain a stable population.
The decline has been especially sharp in urban and economically advanced regions, including major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where rising living costs, housing constraints, and career pressures are discouraging larger families.Also Read: Pakistan to chair Taliban sanctions committee of UN security council
