Fertility rate in children per woman in Viet Nam slightly increases

According to Director General of the Population Department under the Ministry of Health Le Thanh Dung, 20 out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide recorded an increase in the total fertility rate; 13 localities saw a decline, and only Khanh Hoa province remained unchanged.

Ho Chi Minh City reported the lowest fertility rate in the country (1.51 children per woman), while Dien Bien saw the highest fertility rate, with 2.91 children per woman.

In 2025, 11 localities nationwide had fertility rates below 2 children per woman, while 19 provinces were above 2.2 children per woman.

The Population Law, recently passed by the National Assembly and set to take effect on July 1, 2026, introduces many new provisions, such as maintaining the replacement fertility rate, reducing sex imbalance at birth, adapting to population aging, and improving population quality.

The law also abolishes regulations limiting the number of children and removes the phrase "each couple should have only one to two children."

The law requires the introduction of a policy to maintain the replacement fertility rate, meaning that each woman of childbearing age gives birth to an average of 2.1 children. The right to decide on the number of children, the timing of childbirth, and the spacing between births belongs to each individual and couple.

In the coming period, the Ministry of Health will step up communication and advocacy efforts to encourage couples to have two children./.