Vietnam's marriage age rises to 27.2, causes worrying decline in birth rate

Speaking at an international workshop to discuss measures to reverse the trend of low birth rates held in Hanoi Wednesday, Pham Vu Hoang, deputy director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, said in 1999 the average age for the first marriage had been 24.1, and it had risen to 25.2 by 2019.

This and the trend of more and more people choosing to remain single are the reasons for declining birth rates, he said.

In HCMC the average age of marriage is 30.4, the highest in the country, not only causing low birth rates but also an aging population, he said.

The reasons for delaying or not marrying include busy work schedules, financial difficulties and a desire to pursue a career.

Vietnam's birth rate is currently at a "worryingly low" level and heading below the replacement level of 2.1.

The fertility rate in 2023 was 1.96 children per woman, the lowest ever recorded, and it is projected to further decline.

Two out of the country’s six regions -- the southeast and the Mekong Delta -- already have birth rates below the replacement level.

Women in the southeast, home to HCMC and Binh Duong and Dong Nai Provinces which are home to major industrial parks, average 1.47 children, the lowest in the country.

Hoang said urbanization, economic development, pressure to find jobs, housing and living costs, and the cost of raising children are contributing to the decline in birth rates.

"Many Vietnamese have the mindset of wanting to enjoy life and spending time and money on personal gratification instead of marrying and having children."

According to the Ministry of Health, if the birth rate continues to decline unchecked at the current rate, by 2054-2059 Vietnam's population will start declining and gather pace.

It is estimated that the population growth rate will be 0.9% by 2024, dropping to 0.06% by 2054, with negative growth starting in 2059.

Experts warn that if Vietnam does not have appropriate socio-economic and population policies, the birth rate will continue to decline sharply like in countries such as China, South Korea and Japan.

If policies creating favorable conditions for young people to start families and raise children are in place, the birth rate could rise.

Some suggestions include shifting from minimum wage regulations to a minimum living wage for a family of four, supporting couples who have two children with social housing or rental subsidies and covering children's education costs.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen acknowledged that Vietnam has no great experience in dealing with declining birth rates, and exhorted scientists and organizations to share their experiences and help Vietnam address this issue.

The General Department of Population needs to soon propose feasible and effective intervention measures to reverse the decline in birth rates, he added.