Number of Vietnamese elderly rises 1.5 times in a decade

The number of elderly individuals has grown by 2.8 million since 2019 and 4.7 million over the past 10 years, according to the 2024 mid-term Population and Housing Census released by the General Statistics Office on Monday.

The aging index, which measures the ratio of people aged 60 and older to those under 15, has risen sharply over the past decade and is expected to continue increasing. The Mekong Delta and Red River Delta regions have the highest aging indices, at 76.8% and 70.6%, respectively, while the Central Highlands has the lowest, at 37%.

Vietnam's population pyramid in 2019-2024. Graphics by the General Statistics Office

Vietnam’s population pyramid reflects a shrinking base in the 0-4 and 5-9 age groups, a direct result of declining birthrates over the past five years. Meanwhile, the proportion of individuals aged 80 and older continues to grow, expanding the top of the pyramid.

Mai Xuan Phuong, former Deputy Director of Education and Communication at the Ministry of Health’s Department of Population, highlighted that population aging is a global concern and presents significant challenges for Vietnam. While the country still benefits from a demographic dividend of a young labor force, the rapid aging trend poses hurdles, including a declining birthrate that threatens the replacement level needed to sustain the workforce.

Phuong also emphasized the social impact of aging, warning that single children could face significant caregiving burdens in the future. "A single child might have to support six elderly individuals—two parents and four grandparents—due to the declining trend in sibling numbers," she said.

Le Thanh Dung, Director of the General Department of Population under the Ministry of Health, noted that aging affects economic growth, social welfare, labor structures, and infrastructure planning, particularly in healthcare. As the working-age population shrinks and occupational structures shift, younger workers will bear a growing economic burden.

The rapid pace of population aging underscores the urgent need for reforms in social insurance policies and healthcare systems to address the increasing demands of an older population, Dung said.