Vietnam Scraps Two-Child Policy as Birthrates Hit New Lows

Vietnam has officially ended its decades-old two-child policy as the country grapples with a declining birth rate and an ageing population. On Tuesday, the National Assembly voted to abolish the restriction, which had been in effect since 1988. The move now allows couples to have as many children as they wish, marking a major shift in Vietnam’s population policy.

The change comes as Vietnam’s fertility rate dropped to 1.91 children per woman in 2024, below the replacement level of 2.1. Health Minister Dao Hong Lan told *The Hanoi Times* that the policy reversal aims to address imbalances in birth rates across different regions and social groups and to prevent a further decline that could undermine the country’s long-term economic growth, social development, and national security.

Authorities are also responding to continued concerns about gender-based sex selection, a practice driven by cultural preferences for male children. The health ministry has proposed increasing penalties for sex-selective abortions, including a maximum fine of 100 million Vietnamese dong, or approximately \$3,800.

The decision reflects growing urgency within the Vietnamese government to stabilize the population and ensure sustainable development amid shifting demographic trends.