Vietnam pushes citizens getting married before turning 30, having babies

Being contrast from decades ago, when the Vietnamese government disciplined or even punished officials for having more than two children.

Now, it is pushing young people in the mood for love and having enough two children, according to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s decision posted on the government’s website.

The government is encouraging women to have their second child before turning 35. Couples who have enough two children will be offered attractive incentives including personal income tax cut, priority for the social housing program, and public school access for their children, the posting said.

Decision No. 588 signed by PM Phuc plans to raise the fertility rates in some low fertility localities in the country by about 10% in 2030.

Aging population and economic growth pressure for upcoming years have urged the government to have a strategy to maintain the young population for a youthful labour force.  

Vietnamese citizens age between 15 to 64 account for 68% of the population, Bloomberg cited data from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Those 65 and older represent the fastest-growing segment. This age group represented 7.7% of the population in 2019, up from 6.4% in 2009 and the rate could rise to 15% by 2035, according to data compiled by Statista.

The government also asked local authorities to consider increasing “social responsibility” requirements to those who hesitate or wait until they are older to get married, the decision said.

Vietnam’s population increased by 10.4 million between 2009 and 2019. The country’s population currently is at about 98 million people, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

► Vietnam eyes 2020 economic growth at above 2.7%, inflation below 4%