Population challenges as young people marry later and richer people have fewer children

Overview of the International Conference on Policy Consultation and Solutions to Prevent Low Birth Rate Trends - Photo: N.NHIÊN

This was shared by Mr. Pham Vu Hoang, Deputy Director of the Department of Population ( Ministry of Health ), at the International Workshop on policy consultation and solutions to prevent the trend of low birth rate organized by the Department of Population and Merck Healthcare Vietnam on August 28.

Marry late and the richer you are, the fewer children you have.

At the conference, Mr. Hoang said that the national fertility rate is trending down below the replacement level. The total fertility rate in 2023 is 1.96 children/woman, the lowest level ever and is forecast to continue to decrease in the following years.

Statistics show that educational attainment and economic circumstances are related to fertility rates.

Accordingly, the richest people have an average fertility rate of 2 children, the poorest people have a fertility rate of 2.4 children, and people with a good and average standard of living have an average of 2.03 to 2.07 children.

People with less than primary education have an average of 2.35 children, while those with more than high school education only have 1.98 children.

"The reasons for the declining birth rate are urbanization, economic development, pressure to find jobs, housing, living expenses, and costs of raising and caring for children. In addition, infrastructure has many shortcomings such as: lack of schools, high tuition and hospital fees do not encourage people to have children.

Besides, as living conditions are improving, many people want to enjoy life, spend time and money on personal pleasures without wanting to have children," said Mr. Hoang.

Mr. Hoang also pointed out the current situation that the average age of first marriage is changing towards later marriage. It increased from 24.1 years old (1999) to 25.2 years old (2019).

After 4 years, by 2023, the age of first marriage will continue to increase by 2 years and is currently 27.2 years old. For men, the average age of first marriage is 29.3 and for women it is 25.1.

According to calculations, with the current sharp decline in birth rate, by 2054 Vietnam's population will begin to grow negatively and the population decline will become increasingly large.

Low birth rate is not only in Vietnam

Sharing at the workshop, Professor Dr. Nguyen Thien Nhan - member of the 15th National Assembly, former Deputy Prime Minister - also stated that low birth rate is not only a problem of Vietnam, but of many countries in the world .

Mr. Nhan also believes that in order to develop a sustainable population, each family should have 2 children, then the income of a family of 2 working people must be able to properly support 4 people. The working time of workers must be short enough (8 working hours/day, 40 hours/week) so that they have time to get to know their partner and take care of their family.

In addition, there should be policies on housing and educational environment. At the same time, propaganda should be given that having children is a sacred responsibility to the Fatherland.

MSc. Natascha Braumann shares about policies affecting birth rates - Photo: N.NHIÊN

At the conference, many international experts also shared about issues related to low fertility rates. According to MSc. Natascha Braumann (global policy director of reproductive, cardiovascular and endocrinology, Merck KgaA), studies show that policies that have an impact on the total fertility rate include childcare, workplace policies, finance and reproductive support.

In Europe, most Western European countries pay for infertility treatment. In Asia, countries and territories such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan also pay for part of infertility treatment. Direct financial support is one of the important solutions to increase replacement fertility in countries.

Experts also say the government needs to allocate budget to improve birth rates. In fact, the policies currently implemented in Vietnam are not really effective.

In which, the Program to Adjust Fertility Rates to Suit Regions and Subjects by 2030, issued by the Government since 2020, after 4 years of implementation, has not achieved the expected results. Even the replacement fertility rate is decreasing.

Professor Nguyen Thien Nhan also emphasized that if Vietnam does not have a breakthrough in socio-economic and population policies, the birth rate will continue to decrease sharply, following the path of some countries such as China, Korea, Japan, etc.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thach-thuc-dan-so-khi-nguoi-tre-ket-hon-muon-va-nguoi-cang-giau-cang-sinh-it-con-20240828150329348.htm