Report Vietnamese Women Delaying Childbirth as Societal Trends Shift

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Vietnamese women are increasingly choosing to have children later in life, with the average age of childbirth nearing 29, a recent national report reveals. According to the General Statistics Office's April report, the average age for women giving birth rose from 28.4 in 2021 to 28.8 by 2024, indicating a clear move towards delayed parenthood.

 

The report highlights notable differences among ethnic groups. Women from the Hoa and Kinh ethnicities typically have children at 29.9 and 29.4 years old, respectively. This is significantly later—by about six to seven years—than women from ethnic minorities such as La Ha, Co Lao, La Hu, and Hre.

 

Experts attribute these age disparities to economic status, education levels, and cultural practices. Hoa and Kinh women mainly reside in urban areas, benefiting from higher living standards and better educational opportunities. Conversely, women from ethnic minorities often face economic and educational challenges, along with traditional expectations to have children earlier.

 

Vietnam's birth rate is currently around 1.8-1.86 children per woman, below the 2.1 needed for stable population replacement. A significant contributor to this decline is delayed marriage, with the average age at first marriage now 27.3, an increase of 2.1 years since 2019.

 

Mai Xuan Phuong, deputy head of communications and education at the Vietnam Population Authority, points to economic pressures as a key reason behind this trend. Rising living costs, unstable incomes, and rapid urbanization heavily influence family planning choices.

 

"Rapid urbanization has increased workloads, leaving couples with less time for childcare," said Phuong. Concerns about housing affordability and general living expenses are motivating people to delay or even opt out of having children.

 

This decline is part of a larger global pattern affecting several countries, including Vietnam, China, and Japan. To address this trend, experts argue that effective supportive policies and a shift in societal perceptions towards parenting and family planning are essential.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-05-06

 

 

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"Rapid urbanization has increased workloads, leaving couples with less time for childcare," said Phuong. Concerns about housing affordability and general living expenses are motivating people to delay or even opt out of having children.

 

More work but less time and money?  That doesn't sound right.

[BangkokReady]

7 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This decline is part of a larger global pattern affecting several countries, including Vietnam, China, and Japan. To address this trend, experts argue that effective supportive policies and a shift in societal perceptions towards parenting and family planning are essential.

 

Do what Europe is doing.  Import Africans and Arabs to make up the difference.