Vietnam has achieved a steady replacement fertility rate, demonstratedby more planned reproduction and the fewer number of children born perwoman, which has impacted profoundly on the country’s society, an expertsaid.

According to Prof. Dr Nguyen Dinh Cu, former Director ofthe Institute for Population and Social Studies under the NationalEconomics University, reducing the birth rate is a basic measure toimprove living standards and has been advocated by the Party and State’sguidelines, laws, policies, and strategies.

As a result, thebirth rate in Vietnam has rapidly declined, especially since the lasthalf of the 90s of the 20 th century, he said. The average number ofchildren born per woman during her lifetime reduced from 6.81 in the1965-1969 period to the replacement level of 2.12 in 2003, 12 yearsahead of the country’s target. The total fertility rate was maintainedat 2.1 or below from 2003 to 2012.

Thanks to the lowerbirth rate, the country cut the population increase by 18.6 million overthe last couple of decades, thus positively affecting economic, social,and environmental aspects.

At the same time, the number ofexpectant mothers also reduced correspondingly, by millions each year,reducing the rate of maternal deaths, Cu said.

Besides, theinfant mortality rate (IMR) fell down sharply from 45.2 of every 1,000births in 1994 to 16 of every 1,000 in 2009. As a matter of fact,provinces with high birth rates also have high IMRs and vice versa, henoted.

By April 1, 2014, Vietnam’s population hit nearly90.5 million with 44.6 million males and 45.8 million females,representing 49.3 percent and 50.7 percent, respectively, according toan inter-censal on Population Survey announced by the Ministry ofPlanning and Investment’s General Statistics Office on December 17.

However, abortion is a rising problem. Vietnam is among the countrieswith highest abortion rates in the world, and about 300,000 cases werejuveniles and young people.

The demand for contraceptive methodsin Vietnam is observable, the expert said, warning that unlesscontraceptive means and services is sufficient, effective, andaccessible, an “abortion outbreak” is predictable.

Meanwhile, the number of old people numbered around 9 million atpresent, accounting for 10 percent of the population, meaning Vietnamhas already entered the stage of aging population which is attributableto longer life expectancy and lower birth rate. Statistics in the past25 years indicate that the sharp fall of birth rate has the greatestinfluence on the aging process of Vietnam’s population.

TheGeneral Statistics Office forecasts the nation will have an agedpopulation in 2038 or in 2035 according to the General Office forPopulation and Family Planning.

Nonetheless,preparations for an aged society are still modest in terms of policies,infrastructure, and social psychology, the former director said. Heurged authorised agencies to actively gear up for the scenario of anaged population, through stepping up research on relating issues, andoverhauling relevant policies with a focus on developing the socialwelfare system, encouraging the engagement of the whole society incaring for the elderly, and creating jobs for them.-VNA