Gender gap in Vietnam is getting more and more serious
Data from the 2024 Inter-Current Population and Housing Census released by the General Statistics Office shows that the sex ratio of Vietnam's population is 99.2 males/100 females. Of which, urban areas recorded 96.7 males/100 females, while rural areas were higher, reaching 100.7 males/100 females.
The sex ratio varies significantly between age groups. The 0-10 age group has the highest ratio with 110.2 males/100 females, while the 80 and over age group has the lowest, at 53.8 males/100 females. In the 40-49 age group, the ratio is almost equal with 100.8 males/100 females, but drops below 100 from the 50-59 age group, with 97.3 males/100 females.
The main cause of the high sex ratio in the 0-10 age group is the persistent imbalance in the sex ratio at birth. In 2024 alone, the sex ratio at birth in Vietnam will reach 111.4 boys/100 girls, significantly higher than the natural level of about 106 boys/100 girls.
Gender imbalance at birth is becoming an increasingly alarming issue in Vietnam. According to the latest statistics, the male/female ratio at birth has exceeded the natural level, reaching about 112 boys per 100 girls, much higher than the biological balance of 104-106 boys per 100 girls. This not only causes social consequences but also poses a major challenge to the country's sustainable development.
Dr. Pham Vu Hoang - Deputy Director General of the General Department of Population and Family Planning (Ministry of Health) - assessed that the imbalance in the sex ratio at birth in our country is becoming serious. The imbalance in the sex ratio at birth will cause serious consequences in the future.
Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan warned that Vietnam is facing a situation of "decreasing birth rates, with a surplus of males and a shortage of females". According to the General Statistics Office, the sex ratio at birth in 2024 will reach 111.4 boys/100 girls, far exceeding the natural level. At this rate, Vietnam is expected to have a surplus of 1.5 million men by 2034 and will increase to 2.3 million in the following years. By 2050, we will have at least a surplus of 2.3 million and at most 4.3 million men who are unable to marry.
Prenatal sex selection is a clear manifestation of gender inequality. In the coming decades, the population structure will be severely affected by a persistent gender imbalance, with a preponderance of males. This situation will have a major impact on family structure and marriage systems, making it difficult for young men to find partners, increasing the rate of single life or delaying marriage, thereby negatively affecting the family foundation in the future.
Breakthrough solution to balance gender at birth in Vietnam
To address this problem, Vietnam aims to bring the sex ratio at birth back to its natural level, below 109 boys/100 girls, by 2030.
The Ministry of Health proposes that in addition to promoting propaganda and advocacy to eliminate gender bias, it is necessary to review and supplement regulations prohibiting the act of choosing the sex of the fetus as well as all forms of gender discrimination. At the same time, administrative sanctions for violations will be revised and strengthened, along with clearly defining the responsibilities of agencies, organizations and individuals in strictly implementing the prohibition of choosing the sex of the fetus.
Inspection and examination work will be focused on, especially for acts of abusing technology and techniques to select gender at birth. Violations will be strictly handled, ensuring that the responsibility for implementation belongs to relevant agencies, organizations and individuals.
The Ministry of Health believes that these policies will create a solid legal foundation, contributing to preventing the abuse of science and technology in choosing the sex of fetuses, while minimizing the gender imbalance at birth, moving towards a sustainable natural sex ratio.
