Vietnam reaching 100 million people: Opportunities and challenges to be addressed

Hanoi (VNA) – Experts believe that when the population reaches 100 million people, it presents a great opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its influence in the region. However, this milestone also comes with numerous challenges, as the quality of the population still falls short in achieving many targets.

The country expects to welcome the 100 millionth citizen this month, a decade after its population hit 90 million in 2013. With the new milestone, Vietnam is to become one of the 15th most populous countries in the world.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFTA), the world is changing at a rapid pace, and Vietnam should not fall behind. Having a 100-million population would mean a sizable domestic market, possibilities to attract more foreign direct investment with the availability of healthy, well-educated and skilled labour force, innovative and creative minds, and strong dynamism in the country.

Therefore, it is critical to be aware that 100 million in 2023 is not merely a number. It comes with a need for a vision of building a strong Vietnam for today’s and for tomorrow’s generations, as the population represents “100 million hopes, 100 million dreams, and 100 million possibilities.”

Professor Nguyen Dinh Cu, president of the scientific council of the Institute for Population, Family and Children Studies, said that if the 100 million people are placed in the context of economic development and high intellectual level, it will be a great opportunity for development.

Vietnam is a large, populous market with a big workforce (with more than 50 million labourers), so it has favourable conditions to develop a multi-sector economy, he said.


The large population and abundant workforce mean an attraction for foreign investors, he said, adding that 100 million people, however, pose problems of food and energy security.

Given such issues as low area per capita and climate change, ensuring quality education, health care and environmental protection for 100 million people will not be a simple problem, Cu pointed out.

The UNFPA noted that the challenge is that as mortality and fertility decline, Vietnam will soon complete the demographic transition. It is a significant achievement that in today’s Vietnam, people are healthier and live longer. But with fertility decline and limitation over the past decades, Vietnam’s population is aging fast. It is expected to become an aged country by 2036 when the number of people aged 65 and above will reach 15.5 million, accounting for more than 14% of the total population.

UNFPA said in Vietnam’s path to sustainable development, it is critical to emphasise that people are not the problem, but people are the solution. It is not about the number, or more or fewer people, but it is about ensuring more and equitable access to opportunities for all.

The rights of people must be supported, including sexual and reproductive health rights and choices, and gender equality, the fund noted.

UNFPA also advised that Vietnam continue to invest in young people through its policies and programmes on health, education, and employment opportunities, so as to meet the needs of the labour market in the new era and stimulate innovation in the country. It is also critical to strengthen policies on health-related services, including sexual and reproductive health./.