Vietnam has managed to reduce its population growth rate from 1.7 percent to 1.2 percent during the past two decades—the lowest level in 50 years--a health official said on July 9.
Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu released this information during a meeting held to mark World Population Day, which falls on July 11, warning of challenges ahead despite the success achieved.
Trieu noted that the nation’s total fertility rate has dropped to the replacement level, while women’s reproductive health has been improved and the death rate among children under one-year old fell to below 16 per thousand.
However, the minister pointed out a number of problems facing Vietnam such as the scale of the population, which now stands at 85.79 million, ranking 13 th in the world.
The quality of the population and the human development index, especially in terms of height, weight and strength, remain low compared with regional nations.
The country’s population is aging, while the gender imbalance among newborns is reaching an alarming level, from 107 boys for every 100 girls in 1999 to 111 boys for every 100 girls last year, Trieu stressed.
To address these challenges, the minister emphasised the necessity of combining population work with socio-economic development projects, increasing public awareness and improving the quality of population services and reproductive health.
Urmila Singh, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), called for more concerted efforts to improve people’s living conditions.
The official also promised to support Vietnam’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015./.
Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Trieu released this information during a meeting held to mark World Population Day, which falls on July 11, warning of challenges ahead despite the success achieved.
Trieu noted that the nation’s total fertility rate has dropped to the replacement level, while women’s reproductive health has been improved and the death rate among children under one-year old fell to below 16 per thousand.
However, the minister pointed out a number of problems facing Vietnam such as the scale of the population, which now stands at 85.79 million, ranking 13 th in the world.
The quality of the population and the human development index, especially in terms of height, weight and strength, remain low compared with regional nations.
The country’s population is aging, while the gender imbalance among newborns is reaching an alarming level, from 107 boys for every 100 girls in 1999 to 111 boys for every 100 girls last year, Trieu stressed.
To address these challenges, the minister emphasised the necessity of combining population work with socio-economic development projects, increasing public awareness and improving the quality of population services and reproductive health.
Urmila Singh, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), called for more concerted efforts to improve people’s living conditions.
The official also promised to support Vietnam’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015./.
