Hanoi, VNA - With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam is currently the 15th most populous country in the world. According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's population size will continue to grow at a slower rate.
Vietnam is making notable strides in addressing inequality and bridging socio-economic gaps between regions and population groups. The increasing life expectancy of the Vietnamese people is a positive indicator of the country’s development progress.
Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, highlighted these efforts during the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and World Population Day in Hanoi on July 11.
With a population of over 100 million, Vietnam ranks as the 15th most populous country in the world.
According to forecasts from the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's population will continue to grow, though at a gradually slowing pace.
Over the past 20 years, maternal mortality in Vietnam has decreased by 75%, surpassing the global reduction rate of 34%.
Additionally, the use of modern contraceptives among women aged 15 to 49 has risen to over 60%.
Vietnam remains in its "golden population" phase, characterized by a large, youthful workforce, a period anticipated to last until 2039. However, since 2011, the country has entered the aging population stage at a pace faster than many other nations. It is projected that Vietnam will become an aging society by 2036 and a "super-aged" society by 2049. This demographic shift is expected to have widespread impacts at national, regional, and global levels.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan remarked on the significant milestones achieved over the past 30 years in population management, including effective control of population growth and improvements in population structure.
The working-age population has increased and entered its "golden population" phase in 2007. Vietnam has seen enhanced investments in social security, healthcare, education, and employment. The Human Development Index has risen rapidly, reflecting notable reductions in malnutrition, maternal mortality, and infant mortality rates.
Vietnam has also made significant progress in ensuring access to family planning and healthcare services for the elderly.
Tamesis acknowledged that disparities still exist in certain areas of Vietnam. She suggested implementing policies now to prepare for demographic changes and an aging population.
Potential solutions include increasing labor force participation among the elderly, supporting women’s involvement in the workforce, and investing in healthcare and education.
Le Thanh Dung, Director General of the General Department of Population, recommended that UN organizations, development partners, and international diplomatic missions share their experiences to support research, assessment, and forecasting of demographic and socio-economic interactions. This would help authorities shape future development strategies, particularly regarding aging populations and declining fertility rates.
The General Department of Population also seeks international support in developing the Population Law and its guiding documents, aiming to shift the focus of population policy from family planning to broader population and development issues.
The draft law is expected to be submitted to the Government in December 2024 and to the National Assembly in October 2025./.
